Polynucleotides, materials incorporating them, and methods for using them

ABSTRACT

Novel polynucleotides isolated from  Lactobacillus rhamnosus , as well as oligonucleotide probes and primers, genetic constructs comprising the polynucleotides, biological materials, including plants, microorganisms and multicellular organisms incorporating the polynucleotides, polypeptides expressed by the polynucleotides, and methods for using the polynucleotides and polypeptides are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/634,238, filed Aug. 8, 2000, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/147,853, filed Aug. 9, 1999, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/147,852, filed Aug. 9, 1999, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/152,032, filed Sep. 1, 1999, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/152,031, filed Sep. 1, 1999.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to polynucleotides isolated from lactic acid bacteria as well as to probes and primers specific to the polynucleotides; genetic constructs comprising the polynucleotides; biological materials, including plants, microorganisms and multicellular organisms, incorporating the polynucleotides; polypeptides expressed by the polynucleotides; and methods for using the polynucleotides and polypeptides.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to polynucleotides isolated from a specific strain of lactic acid bacteria, namely Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 (L. rhamnosus HN001). Lactic acid bacteria, and their enzymes, are the major determinants of flavor and fermentation characteristics in fermented dairy products, such as cheese and yogurt. Flavors are produced through the action of bacteria and their enzymes on proteins, carbohydrates and lipids.

[0004]Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain HN001 are heterofermentative bacteria that are Gram positive, non-motile, non-spore forming, catalase negative, facultative anaerobic rods exhibiting an optimal growth temperature of 37±1° C. and an optimum pH of 6.0-6.5. Experimental studies demonstrated that dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain HN001 induced a sustained enhancement in several aspects of both natural and acquired immunity (See PCT International Publication No. WO 99/10476). In addition, L. rhamnosus HN001, and certain other Gram-positive bacteria can specifically and directly modulate human and animal health (See, for example, Tannock et al., Applied Environ. Microbiol. 66:2578-2588, 2000; Gill et al., Brit. J. Nutrition 83:167-176; Quan Shu et al., Food and Chem. Toxicol. 38:153-161, 2000; Quan Shu et al., Intl. J. Food Microbiol. 56:87-96, 2000; Quan Shu et al., Intl. Dairy J. 9:831-836, 1999; Prasad et al., Intl. Dairy J. 8:993-1002, 1998; Sanders and Huis in't Veld, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 76:293-315, 1999; Salminen et al., 1998. In: Lactic Acid Bacteria, Salminen S and von Wright A (eds)., Marcel Dekker Inc, New York, Basel, Hong Kong, pp. 211-253; Delcour et al., Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 76:159-184, 1999; Blum et al., Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 76:199-205, 1999; Yasui et al., Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 76:383-389, 1999; Hirayama and Rafter, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 76:391-394, 1999; Ouwehand, 1998. In: Lactic Acid Bacteria, Salminen S and von Wright A (eds)., Marcel Dekker Inc, New York, Basel, Hong Kong, pp. 139-159; Isolauri et al., S 1998. In: Lactic Acid Bacteria, Salminen S and von Wright A (eds)., Marcel Dekker Inc, New York, Basel, Hong Kong, pp. 255-268; Lichtenstein and Goldin, 1998. In: Lactic Acid Bacteria, Salminen S and von Wright A (eds)., Marcel Dekker Inc, New York, Basel, Hong Kong, pp. 269-277; El-Nezami and Ahokas, 1998. In: Lactic Acid Bacteria, Salminen S and von Wright A (eds)., Marcel Dekker Inc, New York, Basel, Hong Kong, pp. 359-367; Nousianen et al., 1998. In: Lactic Acid Bacteria, Salminen S and von Wright A (eds)., Marcel Dekker Inc, New York, Basel, Hong Kong, pp. 437-473; Meisel and Bockelmann, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 76:207-215, 1999; Christensen et al., Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 76:217-246, 1999; Dunne et al., Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 76:279-292, 1999). Beneficial health effects attributed to these bacteria include the following:

[0005] Increased resistance to enteric pathogens and anti-infection activity, including treatment of rotavirus infection and infantile diarrhea—due to increases in antibody production caused by an adjuvant effect, increased resistance to pathogen colonization; alteration of intestinal conditions, such as pH; and the presence of specific antibacterial substances, such as bacteriocins and organic acids.

[0006] Aid in lactose digestion—due to lactose degradation by bacterial lactase enzymes (such as beta-galactosidase) that act in the small intestine.

[0007] Anti-cancer (in particular anti-colon cancer) and anti-mutagenesis activities—due to anti-mutagenic activity; alteration of procancerous enzymatic activity of colonic microbes; reduction of the carcinogenic enzymes azoreductase, beta-glucuronidase and nitroreductase in the gut and/or faeces; stimulation of immune function; positive influence on bile salt concentration; and antioxidant effects.

[0008] Liver cancer reduction—due to aflatoxin detoxification and inhibition of mould growth.

[0009] Reduction of small bowel bacterial overgrowth—due to antibacterial activity; and decrease in toxic metabolite production from overgrowth flora.

[0010] Immune system modulation and treatment of autoimmune disorders and allergies—due to enhancement of non-specific and antigen-specific defence against infection and tumors; enhanced mucosal immunity; adjuvant effect in antigen-specific immune responses; and regulation of Th1/Th2 cells and production of cytokines.

[0011] Treatment of allergic responses to foods—due to prevention of antigen translocation into blood stream and modulation of allergenic factors in food.

[0012] Reduction of blood lipids and prevention of heart disease—due to assimilation of cholesterol by bacteria; hydrolysis of bile salts; and antioxidative effects.

[0013] Antihypertensive effect—bacterial protease or peptidase action on milk peptides produces antihypertensive peptides. Cell wall components act as ACE inhibitors

[0014] Prevention and treatment of urogenital infections—due to adhesion to urinary and vaginal tract cells resulting in competitive exclusion; and production of antibacterial substances (acids, hydrogen peroxide and biosurfactants).

[0015] Treatment of inflammatory bowel disorder and irritable bowel syndrome—due to immuno-modulation; increased resistance to pathogen colonization; alteration of intestinal conditions such as pH; production of specific antibacterial substances such as bacteriocins, organic acids and hydrogen peroxide and biosurfactants; and competitive exclusion.

[0016] Modulation of infective endocarditis—due to fibronectin receptor-mediated platelet aggregation associated with Lactobacillus sepsis.

[0017] Prevention and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection—due to competitive colonization and antibacterial effect.

[0018] Prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy—due to inhibition and/or exclusion of urease-producing gut flora.

[0019] Improved protein and carbohydrate utilisation and conversion—due to production of beneficial products by bacterial action on proteins and carbohydrates.

[0020] Other beneficial health effects associated with L. rhamnosus include: improved nutrition; regulation of colonocyte proliferation and differentiation; improved lignan and isoflavone metabolism; reduced mucosal permeability; detoxification of carcinogens and other harmful compounds; relief of constipation and diarrhea; and vitamin synthesis, in particular folate.

[0021] Peptidases are enzymes that break the peptide bonds linking the amino group of one amino acid with the carboxy group (acid group) of an adjacent amino acid in a peptide chain. The bonds are broken in a hydrolytic reaction. There is a large family of peptidase enzymes that are defined by their specificity for the particular peptides bonds that they cleave (Barrett A J, Rawlings N D and Woessner J F (Eds.) 1998. Handbook of proteolytic enzymes. Academic Press, London, UK). The two main families are exopeptidases and endopeptidases.

[0022] Exopeptidases cleave amino acids from the N- or C-terminus of a peptide chain, releasing free amino acids or short (di- and tri-) peptides. Different types of exopeptidases include:

[0023] Aminopeptidases—release a free amino acid from the N-terminus of a peptide chain;

[0024] dipeptidyl-peptidase (also known as dipeptidyl-aminopeptidases)—release a dipeptide from the N-terminus of a peptide chain;

[0025] tripeptidyl-peptidases (also known as tripeptidyl-aminopeptidases)—release a tripeptide from the N-terminus of a peptide chain);

[0026] carboxypeptidases—release a free amino acid from the C-terminus of a peptide chain;

[0027] peptidyl-dipeptidase—release a dipeptide from the C-terminus of a peptide chain;

[0028] dipeptidases—release two free amino acids from a dipeptide; and

[0029] tripeptidases—release a free amino acid and a dipeptide from a tripeptide.

[0030] Peptidases are important enzymes in the process of cheese ripening and the development of cheese flavor. The hydrolysis of milk caseins in cheese results in textural changes and the development of cheese flavors. The raft of proteolytic enzymes that cause this hydrolysis come from the lactic acid bacteria that are bound up in the cheese—either starter cultures that grow up during the manufacture of the cheese, or adventitious and adjunct non-starter lactic acid bacteria that grow in the cheese as it ripens (Law and Haandrikman, Int. Dairy J. 7:1-11, 1997).

[0031] Many other enzymes can also influence dairy product flavor, and functional and textural characteristics, as well as influencing the fermentation characteristics of the bacteria, such as speed of growth, acid production and survival (Urbach, Int. Dairy J. 5:877-890, 1995; Johnson and Somkuti, Biotech. Appl. Biochem. 13:196-204, 1991; El Soda and Pandian, J. Dairy Sci. 74:2317-2335, 1991; Fox et al., In Cheese: chemistry, physics and microbiology. Volume 1, General aspects, 2^(nd) edition, P Fox (ed) Chapman and Hall, London; Christensen et al., Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 76:217-246, 1999; Stingle et al., J. Bacteriol. 20:6354-6360, 1999; Stingle et al., Mol. Microbiol. 32:1287-1295, 1999; Lemoine et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 63:1512-3518, 1997). Enzymes influencing specific characteristics and/or functions include the following:

[0032] Lysis of cells. These enzymes are mostly cell wall hydrolases, including amidases; muramidases; lysozymes, including N-acetyl muramidase; muramidase; N-acetylglucosaminidase; and N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase. DEAD-box helicase proteins also influence autolysis.

[0033] Carbohydrate utilization. Lactose, citrate and diacetyl metabolism, and alcohol metabolism are particularly important. The enzymes involved include beta-galactosidase, lactate dehydrogenase, citrate lyase, citrate permease, 2,3 butanediol dehydrogenase (acetoin reductase), acetolactate decarboxylase, acetolactate synthase, pyruvate decarboxylase, pyruvate formate lyase, diacetyl synthase, diacetyl reductase, alcohol decarboxylase, lactate dehydrogenase, pyruvate dehydrogenase, and aldehyde dehydrogenase.

[0034] Lipid degradation, modification or synthesis. Enzymes involved include lipases, esterases, phospholipases, serine hydrolases, desaturases, and linoleate isomerase.

[0035] Polysaccharide synthesis. Polysaccharides are important not only for potential immune enhancement and adhesion activity but are important for the texture of fermented dairy products. The enzymes involved are a series of glucosyl transferases, including beta-(1-3) glucosyl transferase, alpha-N acetylgalactosaminyl transferase, phosphogalactosyl transferase, alpha-glycosyl transferase, UDP-N-acetylglucosamine C4 epimerase and UDP-N-acetylglucosamine transferase.

[0036] Amino acid degradation. Enzymes include glutamate dehydrogenase, aminotransferases, amino acid decarboxylases, and enzymes involved in sulphur amino acid degradation including cystothione beta-lyase.

[0037] Sequencing of the genomes, or portions of the genomes, of numerous organisms, including humans, animals, microorganisms and various plant varieties, has been and is being carried out on a large scale. Polynucleotides identified using sequencing techniques may be partial or full-length genes, and may contain open reading frames, or portions of open reading frames, that encode polypeptides. Putative polypeptides may be identified based on polynucleotide sequences and further characterized. The sequencing data relating to polynucleotides thus represents valuable and useful information.

[0038] Polynucleotides and polypeptides may be analyzed for varying degrees of novelty by comparing identified sequences to sequences published in various public domain databases, such as EMBL. Newly identified polynucleotides and corresponding putative polypeptides may also be compared to polynucleotides and polypeptides contained in public domain information to ascertain homology to known polynucleotides and polypeptides. In this way, the degree of similarity, identity or homology of polynucleotides and polypeptides having an unknown function may b e determined relative to polynucleotides and polypeptides having known functions.

[0039] Information relating to the sequences of isolated polynucleotides may be used in a variety of ways. Specified polynucleotides having a particular sequence may be isolated, or synthesized, for use in in vivo or in vitro experimentation as probes or primers. Alternatively, collections of sequences of isolated polynucleotides may be stored using magnetic or optical storage medium and analyzed or manipulated using computer hardware and software, as well as other types of tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0040] The present invention provides isolated polynucleotides comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) sequences identified in the attached Sequence Listing as SEQ ID NOS: 1-121; (b) variants of those sequences; (c) extended sequences comprising the sequences set out in SEQ ID NOS: 1-121, and their variants; and (d) sequences comprising at least a specified number of contiguous residues of a sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 1-121 (x-mers). Oligonucleotide probes and primers corresponding to the sequences set out in SEQ ID NOS: 1-121, and their variants are also provided. All of these polynucleotides and oligonucleotide probes and primers are collectively referred to herein, as “polynucleotides of the present invention.”

[0041] The polynucleotide sequences identified as SEQ ID NOS: 1-121 were derived from a microbial source, namely from fragmented genomic DNA of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, strain HN001, described in PCT International Publication No. WO 99/10476. Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain HN001 are heterofermentative bacteria that are Gram positive, non-motile, non-spore forming, catalase negative, facultative anaerobic rods exhibiting an optimal growth temperature of 37±1° C. and an optimum pH of 6.0-6.5. Experimental studies demonstrated that dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain HN001 induced a sustained enhancement in several aspects of both natural and acquired immunity. A biologically pure culture of Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain HN001 was deposited at the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories (AGAL), The New South Wales Regional Laboratory, 1 Suakin Street, Pymble, NSW 2073, Australia, as Deposit No. NM97/09514, dated 18 Aug. 1997.

[0042] Certain of the polynucleotide sequences disclosed herein are “partial” sequences in that they do not represent a full-length gene encoding a full-length polypeptide. Such partial sequences may be extended by analyzing and sequencing various DNA libraries using primers and/or probes and well-known hybridization and/or PCR techniques. The partial sequences disclosed herein may thus be extended until an open reading frame encoding a polypeptide, a full-length polynucleotide and/or gene capable of expressing a polypeptide, or another useful portion of the genome is identified. Such extended sequences, including full-length polynucleotides and genes, are described as “corresponding to” a sequence identified as one of the sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 1-121 or a variant thereof, or a portion of one of the sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 1-121 or a variant thereof, when the extended polynucleotide comprises an identified sequence or its variant, or an identified contiguous portion (x-mer) of one of the sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 1-121 or a variant thereof.

[0043] The polynucleotides identified as SEQ ID NOS: 1-121 were isolated from Lactobacillus rhamnosus genomic DNA clones and represent sequences that are present in the cells from which the DNA was prepared. The sequence information may be used to identify and isolate, or synthesize, DNA molecules such as promoters, DNA-binding elements, open reading frames or full-length genes, that then can be used as expressible or otherwise functional DNA in transgenic organisms. Similarly, RNA sequences, reverse sequences, complementary sequences, antisense sequences and the like, corresponding to the polynucleotides of the present invention, may be routinely ascertained and obtained using the polynucleotides identified as SEQ ID NOS: 1-121.

[0044] The present invention further provides isolated polypeptides encoded, or partially encoded, by the polynucleotides disclosed herein. In certain specific embodiments, the polypeptides of the present invention comprise a sequence selected from the group consisting of sequences identified as SEQ ID NO: 122-253, and variants thereof. Polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides of the present invention may be expressed and used in various assays to determine their biological activity. Such polypeptides may be used to raise antibodies, to isolate corresponding interacting proteins or other compounds, and to quantitatively determine levels of interacting proteins or other compounds.

[0045] Genetic constructs comprising the inventive polynucleotides are also provided, together with transgenic host cells comprising such constructs and transgenic organisms, such as microbes, comprising such cells.

[0046] The present invention also contemplates methods for modulating the polynucleotide and/or polypeptide content and composition of an organism, such methods involving stably incorporating into the genome of the organism a genetic construct comprising a polynucleotide of the present invention. In one embodiment, the target organism is a microbe, preferably a microbe used in fermentation, more preferably a microbe of the genus Lactobacillus, and most preferably Lactobacillus rhamnosus, or other closely microbial related species used in the dairy industry. In a related aspect, methods for producing a microbe having an altered genotype and/or phenotype is provided, such methods comprising transforming a microbial cell with a genetic construct of the present invention to provide a transgenic cell, and cultivating the transgenic cell under conditions conducive to growth and multiplication. Organisms having an altered genotype or phenotype as a result of modulation of the level or content of a polynucleotide or polypeptide of the present invention compared to a wild-type organism, as well as components and progeny of such organisms, are contemplated by and encompassed within the present invention.

[0047] The isolated polynucleotides of the present invention may be usefully employed for the detection of lactic acid bacteria, preferably L. rhamnosus, in a sample material, using techniques well known in the art, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA hybridization, as detailed below.

[0048] The inventive polynucleotides and polypeptides may also be employed in methods for the selection and production of more effective probiotic bacteria; as “bioactive” (health-promoting) ingredients and health supplements for immune function enhancement; for reduction of blood lipids such as cholesterol; for production of bioactive material from genetically modified bacteria; as adjuvants; for wound healing; in vaccine development, particularly mucosal vaccines; as animal probiotics for improved animal health and productivity; in selection and production of genetically modified rumen microorganisms for improved animal nutrition and productivity, better flavor and improved milk composition; in methods for the selection and production of better natural food bacteria for improved flavor, faster flavor development, better fermentation characteristics, vitamin synthesis and improved textural characteristics; for the production of improved food bacteria through genetic modification; and for the identification of novel enzymes for the production of, for example, flavors or aroma concentrates.

[0049] The isolated polynucleotides of the present invention also have utility in genome mapping, in physical mapping, and in positional cloning of genes of more or less related microbes. Additionally, the polynucleotide sequences identified as SEQ ID NOS: 1-121, and their variants, may be used to design oligonucleotide probes and primers. Such oligonucleotide probes and primers have sequences that are substantially complementary to the polynucleotide of interest over a certain portion of the polynucleotide. Oligonucleotide probes designed using the polynucleotides of the present invention may be used to detect the presence and examine the expression patterns of genes in any organism having sufficiently similar DNA and RNA sequences in their cells, using techniques that are well known in the art, such as slot blot DNA hybridization techniques. Oligonucleotide primers designed using the polynucleotides of the present invention may be used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifications. Oligonucleotide probes and primers designed using the polynucleotides of the present invention may also be used in connection with various microarray technologies, including the microarray technology of Affymetrix (Santa Clara, Calif.).

[0050] The polynucleotides of the present invention may also be used to tag or identify an organism or derived material or product therefrom. Such tagging may be accomplished, for example, by stably introducing a non-disruptive non-functional heterologous polynucleotide identifier into an organism, the polynucleotide comprising at least a portion of a polynucleotide of the present invention.

[0051] The polynucleotides of the present invention may also be used as promoters, gene regulators, origins of DNA replication, secretion signals, cell wall or membrane anchors for genetic tools (such as expression or integration vectors).

[0052] All references cited herein, including patent references and non-patent publications, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] The polynucleotides disclosed herein were isolated by high throughput sequencing of DNA libraries from the lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus as described in Example 1. Cell wall, cell surface and secreted components of lactic acid bacteria are known to mediate immune modulation, cell adhesion and antibacterial activities, resulting in many beneficial effects including: resistance to enteric pathogens; modulation of cancer, including colon cancer; anti-mutagenesis effects; reduction of small bowel bacterial overgrowth; modulation of auto-immune disorders; reduction in allergic disorders; modulation of urogenital infections, inflammatory bowel disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, Helicobacter pylori infection and hepatic encephalopathy; reduction of infection with pathogens; regulation of colonocyte proliferation and differentiation; reduction of mucosal permeability; and relief of constipation and diarrhea. These cell components include, but are not limited to, peptidoglycans, teichoic acids, lipoteichoic acids, polysaccharides, adhesion proteins, secreted proteins, surface layer or S-layer proteins, collagen binding proteins and other cell surface proteins, and antibacterial substances such as bacteriocins and organic acids produced by these bacteria. Polynucleotides involved in the synthesis of these proteins and in the synthesis, modification, regulation, transport, synthesis and/or accumulation of precursor molecules for these proteins can be used to modulate the immune effects, antibacterial, cell adhesion and competitive exclusion effects of the bacteria or of components that might be produced by these bacteria.

[0054] In order to function effectively as probiotic bacteria, L. rhamnosus HN001 must survive environmental stress conditions in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as commercial and industrial processes. Modification of particular polynucleotides or regulatory processes has been shown to be effective against a number of stresses including oxidative stress, pH, osmotic stress, dehydration, carbon starvation, phosphate starvation, nitrogen starvation, amino acid starvation, heat or cold shock and mutagenic stress. Polynucleotides involved in stress resistance often confer multistress resistance, i.e., when exposed to one stress, surviving cells are resistant to several non-related stresses. Bacterial genes and/or processes shown to be involved in multistress resistance include:

[0055] Intracellular phosphate pools—inorganic phosphate starvation leads to the induction of pho regulon genes, and is linked to the bacterial stringent response. Gene knockouts involving phosphate receptor genes appear to lead to multistress resistance.

[0056] Intracellular guanosine pools—purine biosynthesis and scavenger pathways involve the production of phosphate-guanosine compounds that act as signal molecules in the bacterial stringent response. Gene knockouts involving purine scavenger pathway genes appear to confer multistress resistance.

[0057] Osmoregulatory molecules—small choline-based molecules, such as glycine-betaine, and sugars, such as trehalose, are protective against osmotic shock and are rapidly imported and/or synthesized in response to increasing osmolarity.

[0058] Acid resistance—lactobacilli naturally acidify their environment through t he excretion of lactic acid, mainly through the cit operon genes responsible for citrate uptake and utilization.

[0059] Stress response genes—a number of genes appear to be induced or repressed by heat shock, cold shock, and increasing salt through the action of specific promoters.

[0060] The isolated polynucleotides of the present invention, and genetic constructs comprising such polynucleotides, may be employed to produce bacteria having desired phenotypes, including increased resistance to stress and improved fermentation properties.

[0061] Many enzymes are known to influence dairy product flavor, functional and textural characteristics as well as general fermentation characteristics such as speed of growth, acid production and survival. These enzymes include those involved in the metabolism of lipids, polysaccharides, amino acids and carbohydrates as well as those involved in the lysis of the bacterial cells.

[0062] The isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention have demonstrated similarity to polynucleotides and/or polypeptides of known function. The identity and functions of the inventive polynucleotides based on such similarities are shown below in Table 1. TABLE 1 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: NO: DNA PROT Category Description  1 122 Construction of genetic vectors for Homologue of purL, encoding a controlled expression of RNA and/or phosphoribosylformylglycinamidine protein, fusion protein production, (FGAM) synthetase (EC 6.3.5.3). PurL genetic modification, mutagenesis catalyzes the fourth step in the amplification of genetic material or biosynthesis of purines. It is involved for other genetic or protein in resistance environmental stress manipulations. conditions and the stringent response Production of desirable flavors. through the control of intracellular Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture phosphate levels. Purines also play attributes. essential roles in many other cellular Altered survival characteristics: functions, including DNA replication, survival of industrial processes, transcription, intra-and extra-cellular growth or storage in product formats, signaling, energy metabolism, and as persistence in gut environment. coenzymes for many biochemical Altered viability in response to stress reactions. conditions. Altered metabolic properties or regulation of metabolic pathways. Altered probiotic attributes.  2 123 Construction of genetic vectors for Homologue of 5′-Phosphoribosyl-5 controlled expression of RNA and/or aminoimidazole (AIR) carboxylase protein, fusion protein production, (EC 4.1.1.21). AIR carboxylase is genetic modification, mutagenesis responsible for CO₂ fixation during amplification of genetic material or purine biosynthesis. It catalyzes the for other genetic or protein carboxylation of AIR to 5′- manipulations. phosphoribosyl-5-aminoimidazole-4- Production of desirable flavors. carboxylic acid, in the de novo Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture biosynthesis of purine nucleotides. attributes. AIR carboxylase is composed of two Altered survival characteristics: nonidentical subunits, the catalytic survival of industrial processes, subunit is encoded by the purE gene, growth or storage in product formats, while the CO₂-binding subunit is persistence in gut environment. encoded by the purK gene. These two Altered viability in response to stress genes form an operon in which the conditions. termination codon of the purE gene Altered metabolic properties or overlapped the initiation codon of the regulation of metabolic pathways. purK gene. The purEK operon is Altered probiotic attributes. regulated by the purR gene product, and a purR regulatory-protein-binding site related to the sequences found in other pur loci was identified in the purEK operon control region. It is involved in resistance environmental stress conditions and the stringent response through the control of intracellular phosphate levels. Purines also play essential roles in many other cellular functions, including DNA replication, transcription, intra- and extra-cellular signaling, energy metabolism, and as coenzymes for many biochemical reactions.  3 124 Construction of genetic vectors for Homologue of amino acid antiporters controlled expression of RNA and/or gadC, Xasa and acsA. Amino acid protein, fusion protein production, antiporters are integral membrane genetic modification, mutagenesis proteins involved in the transport of amplification of genetic material or amino acids into the cell and in for other genetic or protein extreme acid resistance. GadC is manipulations. homologous to putative glutamate- Production of desirable flavors. gamma-aminobutyrate antiporters of Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri attributes, and contains 12 putative membrane- Altered survival characteristics: spanning domains. It belongs to the survival of industrial processes, amino acid-polyamine-organocation growth or storage in product formats, (APC) superfamily, and the Xasa persistence in gut environment. family of transporters. It is involved in Altered viability in response to stress glutamate-dependent acid resistance conditions. and in antiport of glutamate and Altered amino acid metabolism. glutamate-gamma-aminobutyrate Altered metabolic properties or (GABA). The chloride-dependent regulation of metabolic pathways. expression is activated by gadR. GadC Altered probiotic attributes. is involved in tolerance to environmental stress conditions such as high salt and low pH.  4 125, 126 Construction of genetic vectors for Homologue of the B-subunit of controlled expression of RNA and/or phosphate-specific transporter (PstB). protein, fusion protein production, PstB is an ATP binding cassette genetic modification, mutagenesis (ABC) protein. Phosphate-specific amplification of genetic material or transporters (Pst) in bacteria are for other genetic or protein involved in phosphate transport. Pst is manipulations. a multisubunit system and belongs to Production of desirable flavors, the ABC superfamily of transporters. Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture (TC# 3.A.1.7.1) (Novak et al., J attributes. Bacteriol. 181: 1126-1133, 1999). Altered survival characteristics: Utility as a controlled expression survival of industrial processes, vector and in the control of growth or storage in product formats, intracellular phosphate levels persistence in gut environment, important for resistance to Altered phosphate metabolism, environmental stress conditions and Altered viability in response to stress induction of the stringent response. conditions. Altered metabolic properties or regulation of metabolic pathways. Altered probiotic attributes. 5, 106 127, 230 Construction of genetic vectors for Homologue of PstA/PstC, which are controlled expression of RNA and/or the two hydrophobic subunits of a protein, fusion protein production, phosphate-specific transporter (PstB), genetic modification, mutagenesis an ATP binding cassette (ABC) amplification of genetic material or protein. Phosphate specific transporter for other genetic or protein (Pst) in bacteria is involved in manipulations. phosphate transport. Pst is a Production of desirable flavors. multisubunit system and belongs to the Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture ABC superfamily of transporters. (TC# attributes. 3.A.1.7.1) (Novak et al., J. Bacteriol. Altered survival characteristics: 181: 1126-1133, 1999). Utility as a survival of industrial processes, controlled expression vector and in the growth or storage in product formats, control of intracellular phosphate persistence in gut environment. levels important for resistance to Altered phosphate metabolism. environmental stress conditions and Altered viability in response to stress induction of the stringent response. conditions. Altered metabolic properties or regulation of metabolic pathways. Altered probiotic attributes.  6-10 128, 130-133 Construction of genetic vectors for Homologue of a response regulator controlled expression of RNA and/or belonging to the family of 2- protein, fusion protein production, component signal transduction proteins genetic modification, mutagenesis phosphorylated by a specific sensor amplification of genetic material or kinase (phoR). PhoR for other genetic or protein activates/represses Pho regulon gene manipulations. transcription in response to phosphate Production of desirable flavors. starvation. The gene is involved in cell Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture cycle control, polysaccharide synthesis attributes. and intestinal adhesion, also Altered survival characteristics: multistress resistance. It is part of a survival of industrial processes, phosphate (PHO) regulon which is growth or storage in product formats, regulated by extracellular phosphate persistence in gut environment. and consists of 20 phosphate-regulated Altered phosphate metabolism. promotors, 10 regulatory genes and 2 Altered viability in response to stress phosphate transport systems. Under conditions. conditions of phosphate limitation, the Altered metabolic properties or response regulator PhoB is regulation of metabolic pathways. phosphorylated by the histidine kinase Altered probiotic attributes. PhoR and binds to promoters that share a consensus PHO box. Under conditions of phosphate excess, PhoR, Pst, and PhoU downregulate the PHO regulon (Novak et al., J. Bacteriol. 181: 1126-1133, 1999). Utility as a controlled expression vector and in the control of intracellular phosphate levels important for resistance to environmental stress conditions and induction of the stringent response.  6 129 Construction of genetic vectors for Homologue of the response regulator controlled expression of RNA and/or PnpR. PnpR is part of a two- protein, fusion protein production, component regulatory system, PnpR- genetic modification, mutagenesis PnpS, and a downstream ABC amplification of genetic material or transporter, similar to the Pst system in for other genetic or protein E. coli, including a gene encoding a manipulations. PhoU protein. The E. coli Pst system Production of desirable flavors. belongs to the superfamily of ABC Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture transporters. It is part of a phosphate attributes. (PHO) regulon which is regulated by Altered survival characteristics: extracellular phosphate and consists of survival of industrial processes, 20 phosphate-regulated promotors, 10 growth or storage in product formats, regulatory genes and 2 phosphate persistence in gut environment. transport systems. Under conditions of Altered phosphate metabolism. phosphate limitation, the response Altered viability in response to stress regulator PhoB is phosphorylated by conditions. the histidine kinase PhoR and binds to Regulation of metabolic pathways. promoters that share a consensus PHO Altered metabolic properties or box. Under conditions of phosphate regulation of metabolic pathways. excess, PhoR, Pst, and PhoU Altered probiotic attributes. downregulate the PHO regulon (Novak et al., J. Bacteriol. 181: 1126-1133, 1999). Utility in immune modulation, gut adhesion, cell wall synthesis and polysaccharide production, survival, controlled expression vector.  11 134 Construction of genetic vectors for Homologue of the histidine kinase controlled expression of RNA and/or PhoR, which is involved in the E. coli protein, fusion protein production, Pst system. PhoR is part of a genetic modification, mutagenesis phosphate (PHO) regulon and amplification of genetic material or phosphorylates under conditions of for other genetic or protein phosphate limitation the response manipulations. regulator PhoB. Under conditions of Production of desirable flavors. phosphate excess, PhoR, Pst, and Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture PhoU down regulate the PHO regulon attributes. (Novak et al., J. Bacteriol. 181: 1126-1133, Altered survival characteristics: 1999) which consists of 20 survival of industrial processes, phosphate-regulated promoters, 10 growth or storage in product formats, regulatory genes and 2 phosphate persistence in gut environment. transport systems. Utility in immune Altered phosphate metabolism. modulation, gut adhesion, cell wall Altered viability in response to stress synthesis and polysaccharide conditions. production, survival, controlled Regulation of metabolic pathways. expression vector. Altered metabolic properties or regulation of metabolic pathways. Altered probiotic attributes. 12, 107 135, 231 Construction of genetic vectors for Homologue of PnpS (which in turn is a controlled expression of RNA and/or homologue of PhoR), which is part of protein, fusion protein production, a two-component regulatory system, genetic modification, mutagenesis PnpR-PnpS, and a downstream ATP- amplification of genetic material or binding cassette (ABC) transporter, for other genetic or protein similar to the Pst system in E. coli manipulations. including a gene encoding a PhoU Production of desirable flavors. protein. The E. coli Pst system belongs Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture to the superfamily of ABC attributes. transporters. It is part of a phosphate Altered survival characteristics: (PHO) regulon which is regulated by survival of industrial processes, extracellular phosphate and consists of growth or storage in product formats, 20 phosphate-regulated promoters, 10 persistence in gut environment. regulatory genes and 2 phosphate Altered phosphate metabolism. transport systems. Under conditions of Altered viability in response to stress phosphate limitation, the response conditions. regulator PhoB is phosphorylated by Regulation of metabolic pathways. the histidine kinase PhoR and binds to Altered metabolic properties or promoters that share a consensus PHO regulation of metabolic pathways. box. Under conditions of phosphate Altered probiotic attributes. excess, PhoR, Pst, and PhoU downregulate the PHO regulon. PnpS (Novak et al., J. Bacteriol. 181: 1126-1133, 1999). Utility in immune modulation, gut adhesion, cell wall synthesis and polysaccharide production, survival, controlled expression vector. 13, 14 136, 137 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of penicillin-binding characteristics, structures or protein 1B (Pbp1b) or murein functions. polymerase. Penicillin-binding Improved antimicrobial properties proteins (PBPs), targets of beta-lactam Modified adhesion to human or antibiotics, are membrane-bound animal cells or cell lines. enzymes essential for the biosynthesis Production of desirable flavors. of the bacterial cell wall. PBPs possess Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture a penicillin-insensitive attributes. transglycosylase N-terminal domain Construction of genetic vectors for (formation of linear glycan strands) controlled expression of RNA and/or and a penicillin-sensitive protein, fusion protein production, transpeptidase C-terminal domain genetic modification, mutagenesis (cross-linking of the peptide subunits) amplification of genetic material or responsible for the final steps of the for other genetic or protein bacterial cell wall polymerization and manipulations. cross-linking, respectively (Zhao et al., Altered survival characteristics: Protein Expr. Purif. 16: 331-339, survival of industrial processes, 1999). Utility in immune modulation, growth or storage in product formats, gut adhesion, cell wall synthesis and persistence in gut environment. polysaccharide production. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. 15, 42, 138, 167, Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of penicillin-binding 108 232 characteristics, structures or protein 5 (Pbp5) also known as functions. muramoylpentapeptide Improved antimicrobial properties carboxypeptidase (EC 3.4.17.8, Modified adhesion to human or formerly EC 3.4.12.6). Pbp5 is a animal cells or cell lines. bacterial enzyme that requires a Production of desirable flavors. divalent cation for activity. Does not Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture cleave the C-terminal D-alanine from attributes. the reaction product, UDP-N-acetyl- Construction of genetic vectors for muramoyl-L-alanyl-D-g-glutamyl-6- controlled expression of RNA and/or carboxy-L-lysyl-D-alanine. protein, fusion protein production, Competitively inhibited by penicillins genetic modification, mutagenesis and cephalosporins. Penicillin-binding amplification of genetic material or proteins (PBPs), targets of beta-lactam for other genetic or protein antibiotics, are membrane-bound manipulations. enzymes essential for the biosynthesis Altered survival characteristics: of the bacterial cell wall. (Sifaoui et survival of industrial processes, al., Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. growth or storage in product formats, 45: 2594-2597, 2001). Utility in persistence in gut environment. immune modulation, gut adhesion, cell Altered metabolic properties. wall synthesis and polysaccharide Altered probiotic attributes. production. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. 16, 109 139, 233 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of the hydrophobic characteristics, structures or transmembrane protein psaC. PsaC is a functions. member of the of ABC superfamily, Modified adhesion to human or involved in the transport of nutrients, animal cells or cell lines. translocation of signal molecules and Production of desirable flavors. chemotaxis (Janulczyk et al., Mol. Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture Microbiol. 34: 596-606, 1999). May be attributes. employed in immune modulation, gut Construction of genetic vectors for adhesion, cell wall synthesis, survival, controlled expression of RNA and/or and polysaccharide production. protein, fusion protein production, genetic modification, mutagenesis amplification of genetic material or for other genetic or protein manipulations. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties.  17 140 Production of desirable flavors. Homologue of plnH. PlnH is the Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture accessory factor for ABC transporter attributes. plnG with strong similarities to the Construction of genetic vectors for proposed transport proteins of several controlled expression of RNA and/or other bacteriocins and to proteins protein, fusion protein production, implicated in the signal-sequence- genetic modification, mutagenesis independent export of E. coli amplification of genetic material or hemolysin (Huhne et al., Microbiol. for other genetic or protein 142: 1437-1448, 1996). LcnD is an manipulations. accessory protein of Lactococcus lactis Altered survival characteristics: with similarities to other proteins survival of industrial processes, involved in the secretion of various growth or storage in product formats, polypeptides. They operate in persistence in gut environment. conjunction with a protein from the Altered metabolic properties. family of ABC1 transporters. The Altered probiotic attributes. accessory proteins of Gram-negative Modified health properties (including bacteria are proposed to form a family immunoregulatory, anticancer gut of so-called membrane fusion proteins. health). It is hypothesized that they connect the Modified antibiotic resistance. inner and the outer membranes to Improved antimicrobial properties. facilitate the passage of substrates. CvaA, a member of the membrane fusion protein family, involved in the secretion of colicin V, has been shown to interact with both a cytoplasmic membrane protein (the ABC transporter) and a protein present in the outer membrane (Franke et al., J. Biol. Chem. 274: 8484-8490, 1999). May be employed as an antibacterial for control of infection and food preservation. 18, 121 141, 252 Homologue of Glyceraldehyde 3- phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) (EC 1.2.1.12) is a tetrameric NAD- binding enzyme common to both the glycolytic and gluconeogenic pathways that catalyzes reversibly the oxidative phosphorylation of D- glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P) to form 1,3-diphosphoglycerate (1,3- dPG) in the presence of NAD and inorganic phosphate. This enzyme is useful in manipulating alcohol dehydrogenation in vitro or in vivo, e.g. in fermentation processes or with transgenic bacteria with deleted, added or modified alcohol dehydrogenase gene. It can also be useful as a controlled expression vector.  19 142 Removal of undesirable flavor Homologue of the histidine-containing characteristics. protein ptsH, also known as the Production of desirable flavors. phosphocarrier protein HPr. Hpr is a Modified flavor, aroma, or texture component of the attributes. phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sugar Construction of genetic vectors for phosphotransferase system (PTS), a controlled expression of RNA and/or major carbohydrate active-transport protein, fusion protein production, system. The phosphoryl group from genetic modification, mutagenesis phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) is amplification of genetic material or transferred to the phosphoryl carrier for other genetic or protein protein HPr by enzyme I. Phospho- manipulations. HPr then transfers it to the permease Altered survival characteristics: (enzymes II/III). HPr is common to all survival of industrial processes, PTS and belongs to the HPr family. growth or storage in product formats, The HPr family consists of bacterial persistence in gut environment. proteins, all of which function as Modified carbohydrate levels or phosphoryl transfer proteins. They are functional properties. energy-coupling constituents of the Altered metabolic properties. phosphotransferase system (PTS) Modified carbohydrate metabolism. (TC # 4.A.1-4.A.6). which catalyzes sugar Altered probiotic attributes. uptake via a group translocation Improved fermentation properties or mechanism. The E. coli genome other industrially useful processes. encodes five HPr paralogues that Organisms or materials with function in PTS-related regulatory improved health properties (including capacities. May be employed in immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut survival and carbohydrate metabolism health, lactose tolerance) and as a controlled expression vector.  20 143 Removal of undesirable flavor Homologue of gamma (acyl carrier characteristics. protein) subunit of citrate lyase. Citrate Production of desirable flavors. lyase (EC 4.1.3.6.) is part of the citrate Modified flavor, aroma, or texture metabolism pathway and catalyzes the attributes. cleavage of citrate to oxaloacetate and Construction of genetic vectors for acetate and is composed of three controlled expression of RNA and/or subunits (alpha, beta, and gamma). protein, fusion protein production, Lactobacillae contribute through the genetic modification, mutagenesis citrate metabolism actively to the amplification of genetic material or flavor development of fermented dairy for other genetic or protein products (e.g., Dutch cheeses). It is manipulations. also involved in citrate metabolism Altered survival characteristics: pathway that results in lactic acid survival of industrial processes, production and acid tolerance (Magni growth or storage in product formats, et al., J. Bacteriol. 181: 1451-1457, persistence in gut environment. 1999) and may be employed in Modified carbohydrate levels or survival and carbohydrate metabolism. functional properties. Altered metabolic properties. Modified citrate metabolism. Altered probiotic attributes. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. Organisms or materials with improved health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, lactose tolerance)  20 144 Removal of undesirable flavor Homologue of beta (citryl-S-ACP characteristics. lyase) subunit of citrate lyase. Citrate Production of desirable flavors. lyase (EC 4.1.3.6.) is part of the citrate Modified flavor, aroma, or texture metabolism and catalyzes the cleavage attributes. of citrate to oxaloacetate and acetate Construction of genetic vectors for and is composed of three subunits controlled expression of RNA and/or (alpha, beta, and gamma). protein, fusion protein production, Lactobacillae contribute through the genetic modification, mutagenesis citrate metabolism actively to the amplification of genetic material or flavor development of fermented dairy for other genetic or protein products (e.g., Dutch cheeses). It is manipulations. also involved in citrate metabolism Altered survival characteristics: pathway that results in lactic acid survival of industrial processes, production and acid tolerance (Magni growth or storage in product formats, et al., J. Bacteriol. 181: 1451-1457, persistence in gut environment. 1999) and may be employed in Modified carbohydrate levels or survival and carbohydrate metabolism. functional properties. Altered metabolic properties. Modified citrate metabolism. Altered probiotic attributes. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. Organisms or materials with improved health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, lactose tolerance).  20 145 Removal of undesirable flavor Homologue of alpha subunit characteristics. (citrate: acetyl-ACP transferase) of Production of desirable flavors. citrate lyase. Citrate lyase (EC 4.1.3.6.) Modified flavor, aroma, or texture is part of the citrate metabolism and attributes. catalyzes the cleavage of citrate to Construction of genetic vectors for oxaloacetate and acetate and is controlled expression of RNA and/or composed of three subunits (alpha, protein, fusion protein production, beta, and gamma). Lactobacillae genetic modification, mutagenesis contribute through the citrate amplification of genetic material or metabolism actively to the flavor for other genetic or protein development of fermented dairy manipulations. products (e.g., Dutch cheeses). It is Altered survival characteristics: also involved in citrate metabolism survival of industrial processes, pathway that results in lactic acid growth or storage in product formats, production and acid tolerance (Magni persistence in gut environment. et al., J. Bacteriol. 181: 1451-1457, Modified carbohydrate levels or 1999) and may be employed in functional properties. survival and carbohydrate metabolism. Altered metabolic properties. Modified citrate metabolism. Altered probiotic attributes. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. Organisms or materials with improved health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, lactose tolerance). 21, 119 146, 243 Removal of undesirable flavor Homologue of malic enzyme (EC characteristics. 1.1.1.39). Malic enzyme catalyzes L- Production of desirable flavors. malate oxidative decarboxylation and Modified flavor, aroma, or texture pyruvate reductive carboxylation and a attributes. malate transport protein (similar to Construction of genetic vectors for citP) involved in membrane potential controlled expression of RNA and/or generation via malate/lactate exchange. protein, fusion protein production, Because lactobacilli appear not to have genetic modification, mutagenesis a functioning Krebs cycle, this enzyme amplification of genetic material or may be involved in carbohydrate for other genetic or protein metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis manipulations. or L-malate utilization pathways. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Modified carbohydrate levels or functional properties. Altered metabolic properties. Modified carbohydrate metabolism. Altered probiotic attributes. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. Organisms or materials with improved health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, lactose tolerance).  22 147 Construction of genetic vectors for Homologue of otsA, encoding controlled expression of RNA and/or trehalose-6-phosphate synthetase protein, fusion protein production, (UDP forming) (EC 2.4.1.15). OtsA genetic modification, mutagenesis combines two glucose molecules to amplification of genetic material or trehalose. Trehalose plays a protective for other genetic or protein role in the ability of many organisms manipulations. to tolerate adverse environmental Production of desirable flavors. conditions (Fernandes et al., Lett. Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture Appl. Microbiol. 32: 42, 2001) and acts attributes. as an osmoprotectant as well as a Altered survival characteristics: carbon source (Rimmele and Boos, J. survival of industrial processes, Bacteriol. 176: 5654-5664, 1994). May growth or storage in product formats, be involved in carbohydrate and amino persistence in gut environment, acid metabolism, survival and may Altered viability in response to stress have utility as a controlled expression conditions. vector. Increased resistance to high salt levels. Altered metabolic properties or regulation of metabolic pathways. Altered probiotic attributes.  23 148 Construction of genetic vectors for Homologue of trehalose-6-phosphate controlled expression of RNA and/or hydrolase (EC 3.2.1.93). Trehalose-6- protein, fusion protein production, phosphate hydrolase is the key enzyme genetic modification, mutagenesis of the phosphotransferase system and amplification of genetic material or hydrolyzes trehalose-6-phosphate to for other genetic or protein glucose and glucose 6-phosphate. The manipulations. enzyme shows strong homology with Production of desirable flavors. those of oligo-1,6- glucosidases. Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture Trehalose plays a protective role in the attributes. ability of many organisms to tolerate Altered survival characteristics: adverse environmental conditions survival of industrial processes, (Fernandes et al., Lett. Appl. growth or storage in product formats, Microbiol. 32: 42, 2001) and acts as an persistence in gut environment. osmoprotectant as well as a carbon Altered viability in response to stress source (Rimmele and Boos, J. conditions. Bacteriol. 176: 5654-5664, 1994). May Increased resistance to high salt be involved in carbohydrate and amino levels. acid metabolism, survival and may Altered metabolic properties or have utility as a controlled expression regulation of metabolic pathways. vector. Altered probiotic attributes.  24 149 Construction of genetic vectors for Homologue of proV. ProV is a glycine controlled expression of RNA and/or betaine/proline transporter that also protein, fusion protein production, transports proline betaine, carnitine, genetic modification, mutagenesis dimethyl proline, homobetaine, g- amplification of genetic material or butyrobetaine and choline with low for other genetic or protein affinity (TC-Number: 3.A.1.12.1). manipulations. ProV belongs to the ABC substrate Production of desirable flavors. binding protein-dependent transporter Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture superfamily, May be involved in attributes. carbohydrate and amino acid Altered survival characteristics: metabolism, survival and may have survival of industrial processes, utility as a controlled expression growth or storage in product formats, vector. persistence in gut environment. Altered viability in response to stress conditions. Increased resistance to high salt levels. Altered metabolic properties or regulation of metabolic pathways. Altered probiotic attributes.  25 150 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of rgg which positively characteristics, structures or regulates the expression of functions. extracellular glucosyltransferase Modified adhesion to human or (GTF). rgg-like determinants make up animal cells or cell lines. a widely occurring gene family in Production of desirable flavors. pathogenic and commensal bacterial Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture species and appear to share positive attributes. regulatory functions (Vickerman and Construction of genetic vectors for Minick, Infect. Immun. 70: 1703-1714, controlled expression of RNA and/or 2002). protein, fusion protein production, genetic modification, mutagenesis amplification of genetic material or for other genetic or protein manipulations. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Regulation of polysaccharide production, adhesion, immune modulation.  26 151 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of Cps14D. Cps gene characteristics, structures or products are involved in bacterial functions. capsular polysaccharide (CP) Modified adhesion to human or biosynthesis. Bacterial CPs are animal cells or cell lines. generally composed of repeating Production of desirable flavors. oligosaccharides and are involved in Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture resistance to opsonophagocytosis, attributes. avoidance of the immune system of the Construction of genetic vectors for host and attachment. Cps genes are controlled expression of RNA and/or normally clustered on the bacterial protein, fusion protein production, chromosome and have a common genetic modification, mutagenesis genetic organization involving three amplification of genetic material or functional regions. Cps14D codes for a for other genetic or protein protein involved in chain length manipulations. determination and export of CP Altered survival characteristics: (Kolkman et al., J. Biol. Chem. survival of industrial processes, 272: 19502-19508, 1997). growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Regulation of polysaccharide production, adhesion, immune modulation.  27 152 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of a Cps-like gene characteristics, structures or product. Cps-like gene products are functions. involved in bacterial capsular Modified adhesion to human or polysaccharide (CP) biosynthesis. animal cells or cell lines. Bacterial CPs are generally composed Production of desirable flavors. of repeating oligosaccharides and are Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture involved in resistance to attributes. opsonophagocytosis, avoidance of the Construction of genetic vectors for immune system of the host and controlled expression of RNA and/or attachment. Cps genes are normally protein, fusion protein production, clustered on the bacterial chromosome genetic modification, mutagenesis and have a common genetic amplification of genetic material or organization involving three functional for other genetic or protein regions (Kolkman et al., J. Biol. Chem. manipulations. 272: 19502-19508, 1997). Cps14J Altered survival characteristics: encodes a beta-1,4- survival of industrial processes, galactosyltransferase that requires growth or storage in product formats, beta-linked GlcNAc as an acceptor. persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Regulation of polysaccharide production, adhesion, immune modulation.  28 153 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of a Cps-like gene characteristics, structures or product. Cps-like gene products are functions. involved in bacterial capsular Modified adhesion to human or polysaccharide (CP) biosynthesis. animal cells or cell lines. Bacterial CPs are generally composed Production of desirable flavors. of repeating oligosaccharides and are Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture involved in resistance to attributes. opsonophagocytosis, avoidance of the Construction of genetic vectors for immune system of the host and controlled expression of RNA and/or attachment. Cps genes are normally protein, fusion protein production, clustered on the bacterial chromosome genetic modification, mutagenesis and have a common genetic amplification of genetic material or organization involving three functional for other genetic or protein regions. (Kolkman et al., J. Biol. manipulations. Chem. 272: 19502-19508, 1997). Altered survival characteristics: Cps14L encodes a transporter for the survival of industrial processes, repeating unit of the polysaccharide growth or storage in product formats, (Kolkman et al. J. Biochem. 123: 937-945, persistence in gut environment. 1998). Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Regulation of polysaccharide production, adhesion, immune modulation. 29, 30 154, 155 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of D-alanyl-D-alanine characteristics, structures or carboxypeptidase (EC 3.4.17.8, functions. formerly EC 3.4.12.6). D-alanyl-D- Modified adhesion to human or alanine carboxypeptidase is a animal cells or cell lines. periplasmic membrane-attached Production of desirable flavors. protein involved in the construction Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture and maintenance of the bacterial cell attributes. walls and also a penicillin binding Construction of genetic vectors for protein involved in the late stages of controlled expression of RNA and/or murein synthesis. Peptidases are protein, fusion protein production, important in the process of cheese genetic modification, mutagenesis ripening and the development of amplification of genetic material or cheese flavor. May have utility as a for other genetic or protein controlled expression vector. manipulations. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Regulation of polysaccharide production, adhesion, immune modulation.  31 156 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of aggregation protein characteristics, structures or aggH. Transgenic microbes with functions. added, deleted or modified aggregation Modified adhesion to human or protein gene can have a modified animal cells or cell lines. aggregation response in vitro (useful in Production of desirable flavors. bioprocessing with bacteria, e.g. Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture fermentation, flocculation) or in vivo attributes. (useful in enhancing/decreasing Construction of genetic vectors for clumping of bacteria, e.g. in controlled expression of RNA and/or gastrointestinal tract, as desired). protein, fusion protein production, Aggregation protein gene can be used genetic modification, mutagenesis also for production of protein as amplification of genetic material or antigen to vaccinate mammals. Gene for other genetic or protein can be used as vehicle for vaccination manipulations. by fusing with an exogenous antigen Altered survival characteristics: with it, transforming a bacterium and survival of industrial processes, treating the mammal to be immunized growth or storage in product formats, with killed or live bacteria for persistence in gut environment. preventive or therapeutic vaccination Altered metabolic properties. (see patent WO9947657-A2; Altered probiotic attributes. Lactobacillus reuteri bacterial Modified health properties (including aggregation protein). The aggregation immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut protein is targeted for the bacterial health). surface, so this ensures efficient Modified antibiotic resistance. antigen presentation to the immune Improved antimicrobial properties. system as the Lactobacillus or other Improved fermentation properties or gastrointestinal bacteria adhere to other industrially useful processes. epithelial cells. Finally, gene is useful for detecting Lactobacillus species using the DNA as detection probe.  32 157 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of exopolyphosphatase characteristics, structures or (PPX) (EC 3.6.1.11). Polyphosphate is functions. made by polyphosphate kinase PPK Modified adhesion to human or (EC 2.7.4.1) and is broken down by animal cells or cell lines. PPX. Production of desirable flavors. Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture attributes. Construction of genetic vectors for controlled expression of RNA and/or protein, fusion protein production, genetic modification, mutagenesis amplification of genetic material or for other genetic or protein manipulations. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes.  33 158 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of a peptidoglycan characteristics, structures or (mureins) bound protein with an functions. LPXTG motif similar to an adhesin. Modified adhesion to human or Adhesins mediate attachment of cells animal cells or cell lines. to collagen-containing substrata. Type Production of desirable flavors. I membrane protein. Collagen binding Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture is important property in attachment attributes. and potential pathogenesis of various Construction of genetic vectors for bacteria with mammalian hosts. The controlled expression of RNA and/or gene can be used to screen bacteria protein, fusion protein production, with DNA or protein probes/antibodies genetic modification, mutagenesis for the presence of collagen adhesion amplification of genetic material or gene in various pathogenic and non- for other genetic or protein pathogenic bacteria, e.g. for selection manipulations. of strains or for diagnostic purposes Altered survival characteristics: (see e.g. patent WO9207002). It is survival of industrial processes, known that expression of a collagen growth or storage in product formats, adhesin is essential for the attachment persistence in gut environment. of Staphylococcus aureus to cartilage, Altered metabolic properties. which contains collagen (Switalski et Altered probiotic attributes. al., Mol. Microbiol. 7: 99-107, 1993). Modified health properties (including Deletion/addition or modification of immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut the gene can alter collagen-binding health). properties of cells to the desired effect Modified antibiotic resistance. in bacteria-host interactions. Finally, Improved antimicrobial properties. protein can be used as an administered Improved fermentation properties or reagent in in vitro or in vivo collagen other industrially useful processes. binding reactions.  34 159 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of a bacterial hemolysin. characteristics, structures or Hemolysin is a bacterial toxin gene functions. that can be used to develop vaccines Modified adhesion to human or against pathogenic bacteria carrying animal cells or cell lines. the gene/protein. Transgenic microbes Production of desirable flavors. with added, deleted or modified Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture hemolysin protein gene can have a attributes. modified hemolytic activity in vitro Construction of genetic vectors for (useful e.g. in bacteria-based assays) or controlled expression of RNA and/or in vivo (useful in enhancing/decreasing protein, fusion protein production, pathogenicity of bacteria, as desired genetic modification, mutagenesis (see e.g. J. Biol. Chem. 267: 10902-10909, amplification of genetic material or 1992). Functional expression for other genetic or protein of the alpha-hemolysin gene of manipulations. Staphylococcus aureus in intact E. coli Altered survival characteristics: and in cell lysates. Deletion of five C- survival of industrial processes, terminal amino acids selectively growth or storage in product formats, impairs hemolytic activity. The peptide persistence in gut environment. itself can be used as a reagent e.g. in in Altered metabolic properties. vitro assays of hemolytic activity. Altered probiotic attributes. May be invovled in scavenging iron Modified health properties (including from environment, and therefore is immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut involved in cell survival and health). metabolism, as well as restricting Modified antibiotic resistance. growth of surrounding microbes. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes.  35 160 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of autoinducer 2 (AI-2). characteristics, structures or AI-2 participates in quorum sensing in functions. bacteria. Autoinducer is secreted by Modified adhesion to human or bacteria and is used to communicate animal cells or cell lines. both the cell density and the metabolic Production of desirable flavors. potential of the environment. The gene Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture can be used in DNA or protein assays attributes. to detect presence of the DNA or Construction of genetic vectors for protein in microbes. The deletion, controlled expression of RNA and/or addition or modification of the gene protein, fusion protein production, can change the intercellular signaling genetic modification, mutagenesis of bacteria, affecting their growth amplification of genetic material or mode, pathogenesis and survival. The for other genetic or protein peptide can be used as a reagent to manipulations. modify the bacterial communication in Altered survival characteristics: vitro or in vivo. survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. Regulation of cell numbers and growth.  36 161 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of autolysin. Autolysins characteristics, structures or control the lysis bacterial cells. It can functions. be used for controlling lysis of food Modified adhesion to human or fermenting bacteria, e.g. in cheese animal cells or cell lines. production, as well as lysis of Production of desirable flavors. pathogenic organisms with in vivo or Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture in vitro administration of the peptide or attributes. peptide-producing microorganisms. Construction of genetic vectors for The deleted/added or modified gene in controlled expression of RNA and/or transgenic bacteria can be used to protein, fusion protein production, modify the lysis process as required. genetic modification, mutagenesis The DNA and peptide can be used in amplification of genetic material or developing and using various for other genetic or protein screening assays to detect presence of manipulations. hemolysin gene/protein and autolytic Altered survival characteristics: activity. survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. Regulation of cell numbers and growth. 37-39 162-164 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of a bacterial hemolysin. characteristics, structures or Hemolysin is a bacterial toxin gene functions. that can be used to develop vaccines Modified adhesion to human or against pathogenic bacteria carrying animal cells or cell lines. the gene/protein. Transgenic microbes Production of desirable flavors. with added, deleted or modified Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture hemolysin protein gene can have a attributes. modified hemolytic activity in vitro Construction of genetic vectors for (useful e.g. in bacteria-based assays) or controlled expression of RNA and/or in vivo (useful in enhancing/decreasing protein, fusion protein production, pathogenicity of bacteria, as desired genetic modification, mutagenesis (see e.g. J. Biol. Chem. 267: 10902-10909, amplification of genetic material or 1992). Functional expression for other genetic or protein of the alpha-hemolysin gene of manipulations. Staphylococcus aureus in intact E. coli Altered survival characteristics: and in cell lysates. Deletion of five C- survival of industrial processes, terminal amino acids selectively growth or storage in product formats, impairs hemolytic activity. The peptide persistence in gut environment. itself can be used as a reagent e.g. in in Altered metabolic properties. vitro assays of hemolytic activity. Altered probiotic attributes. May be invovled in scavenging iron Modified health properties (including from environment, and therefore is immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut involved in cell survival and health). metabolism, as well as restricting Modified antibiotic resistance. growth of surrounding microbes. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. Regulation of cell numbers and growth. 40, 41 165, 166 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of penicillin-binding characteristics, structures or proteins (PBPs). PBPs are enzymes functions. involved in the final stages of Improved antimicrobial properties peptidoglycan biosynthesis. The C- Modified adhesion to human or terminal module binds penicillin and animal cells or cell lines. catalyzes peptidoglycan cross-linking. Production of desirable flavors. The N-terminal domain can have Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture transglycosylase activity (class A attributes. HMW PBPs). PBPs are the targets of Construction of genetic vectors for beta-lactam antibiotics, which controlled expression of RNA and/or covalently bind to these proteins, protein, fusion protein production, inhibiting cell wall synthesis (Mariana genetic modification, mutagenesis et al., J. Bacteriol. 182: 1074-1079, amplification of genetic material or 2000). Penicillin-binding protein gene for other genetic or protein can be used for modifications in manipulations. transgenic bacteria, which can change Altered survival characteristics: their susceptibility to penicillin (see survival of industrial processes, e.g. Smith and Klugman, Antimicrob. growth or storage in product formats, Agents Chemother. 42: 1329-1333, persistence in gut environment. 1998). Alterations in PBP 1A Altered metabolic properties. essential-for high-level penicillin Altered probiotic attributes. resistance in Streptococcus Modified health properties (including pneumoniae. The DNA or protein can immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut be used in various assays to detect the health). presence of the gene or protein in Modified antibiotic resistance. various biological samples, where Improved fermentation properties or penicillin binding is of interest. other industrially useful processes.  42 167 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of penicillin-binding characteristics, structures or protein 5 (Pbp5) also known as functions. muramoylpentapeptide Improved antimicrobial properties carboxypeptidase (EC 3.4.17.8, Modified adhesion to human or formerly EC 3.4.12.6). Ppb5 requires a animal cells or cell lines. divalent cation for activity. Penicillin- Production of desirable flavors. binding proteins (PBPs), targets of Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture beta-lactam antibiotics, are membrane- attributes. bound enzymes essential for the Construction of genetic vectors for biosynthesis of the bacterial cell wall controlled expression of RNA and/or (Sifaoui et al., Antimicrob. Agents protein, fusion protein production, Chemother. 45: 2594-2597, 2001). genetic modification, mutagenesis Penicillin-binding protein gene can be amplification of genetic material or used for modifications in transgenic for other genetic or protein bacteria, which can change their manipulations. susceptibility to penicillin (see e.g. Altered survival characteristics: Smith and Klugman, Antimicrob. survival of industrial processes, Agents Chemother. 42:1329-1333, growth or storage in product formats, 1998). Alterations in PBP 1A persistence in gut environment. essential-for high-level penicillin Altered metabolic properties. resistance in Streptococcus Altered probiotic attributes. pneumoniae. The DNA or protein can Modified health properties (including be used in various assays to detect the immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut presence of the gene or protein in health). various biological samples, where Modified antibiotic resistance. penicillin binding is of interest. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes.  43 168 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of penicillin-binding characteristics, structures or protein 1B (Pbp1b) or murein functions. polymerase. Penicillin-binding Improved antimicrobial properties proteins (PBPs), targets of beta-lactam Modified adhesion to human or antibiotics, are membrane-bound animal cells or cell lines. enzymes essential for the biosynthesis Production of desirable flavors. of the bacterial cell wall. PBPs possess Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture a penicillin-insensitive attributes. transglycosylase n-terminal domain Construction of genetic vectors for (formation of linear glycan strands) controlled expression of RNA and/or and a penicillin-sensitive protein, fusion protein production, transpeptidase c-terminal domain genetic modification, mutagenesis (cross-linking of the peptide subunits) amplification of genetic material or responsible for the final steps of the for other genetic or protein bacterial cell wall polymerization and manipulations. cross-linking, respectively (Zhao et al., Altered survival characteristics: Protein Expr. Purif. 16: 331-339, survival of industrial processes, 1999). Penicillin-binding protein gene growth or storage in product formats, can be used for modifications in persistence in gut environment. transgenic bacteria, which can change Altered metabolic properties. their susceptibility to penicillin (see Altered probiotic attributes. e.g. Smith and Klugman, Antimicrob. Modified health properties (including Agents Chemother. 42: 1329-1333, immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut 1998). Alterations in PBP 1A health). essential-for high-level penicillin Modified antibiotic resistance. resistance in Streptococcus Improved fermentation properties or pneumoniae. The DNA or protein can other industrially useful processes. be used in various assays to detect the presence of the gene or protein in various biological samples, where penicillin binding is of interest. 44, 110 169, 234 Production of desirable flavors. Homologue of protein p60, encoded by Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture the gene termed iap. p60 protein is a attributes. major extracellular product secreted by Construction of genetic vectors for all isolates of Listeria monocytogenes. controlled expression of RNA and/or This protein has peptidoglycan protein, fusion protein production, hydrolase activity but also influences genetic modification, mutagenesis the uptake of L. monocytogenes by amplification of genetic material or non-phagocytic cells. Proteins related for other genetic or protein to p60 are found in all other Listeria manipulations. species. It has been shown that p60 Altered survival characteristics: protein is among the strongest antigens survival of industrial processes, in listeriae for B- and T-cell responses. growth or storage in product formats, The protein p60 belongs to the E. coli persistence in gut environment. nlpc/listeria p60 family. This gene Altered metabolic properties. can be useful as a probe to detect the Altered probiotic attributes. presence of the gene/protein in various Modified adhesion to human or bacteria. Deletion, addition and animal cells or cell lines. modification of the gene in transgenic Organisms or materials with bacteria can alter their extracellular improved health properties (including envelope structure, thereby altering immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut their growth and pathogenicity health) characteristics. See e.g. Bubert et al., Altered resistance to antibiotics. J. Bacteriol. 174: 8166-8171, 1992. Improved antimicrobial properties.  45 170 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of flotillin. Flotillins have characteristics, structures or been found in mammalian, insect and functions. bacterial cells and behave as resident Modified adhesion to human or integral membrane protein components animal cells or cell lines. of caveolae which are plasmalemmal Production of desirable flavors. microdomains that are involved in Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture vesicular trafficking and signal attributes. transduction (Huang et al., Mol. Construction of genetic vectors for Microbiol. 31: 361-371, 1999). controlled expression of RNA and/or Flotillins (also known as epidermal protein, fusion protein production, surface antigens (ESAs)) belong to the genetic modification, mutagenesis family of caveolae-associated integral amplification of genetic material or membrane proteins and may act as a for other genetic or protein scaffolding protein within caveolar manipulations. membranes. This gene is similar to an Altered survival characteristics: epidermal surface antigen of Bacillus survival of industrial processes, subtilis. It is useful as a vaccine growth or storage in product formats, development target. persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties.  46 171 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of fimbria associated characteristics, structures or protein. Fimbriae and pili are functions. interchangeable terms used to Modified adhesion to human or designate short, hair-like structures on animal cells or cell lines. the surfaces of prokaryotic cells Production of desirable flavors. composed of protein. Fimbriae are Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture most often involved in adherence of attributes. bacteria to surfaces, substrates and Construction of genetic vectors for other cells in nature. This gene is controlled expression of RNA and/or similar to sortase, which is involved in protein, fusion protein production, covalent anchoring to the cell wall (see genetic modification, mutagenesis Cossart and Jonquieres, Proc. Natl. amplification of genetic material or Acad. Sci. USA 97: 5013-5015, 2000). for other genetic or protein The gene is useful as a target for manipulations. antibiotic development as the gene Altered survival characteristics: performs a very important function in survival of industrial processes, cell wall protein anchoring. The DNA growth or storage in product formats, and protein can be used in vitro and in persistence in gut environment. vivo assays and treatments as a Altered metabolic properties. reagent. Transgenic bacteria with Altered probiotic attributes. deleted, added or modified sortase Modified health properties (including gene can have modified protein immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut anchoring at the cell surface layer. health). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties.  47 172 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of a collagen binding characteristics, structures or protein. Collagen binding is important functions. property in attachment and potential Modified adhesion to human or pathogenesis of various bacteria with animal cells or cell lines. mammalian hosts. The gene can be Production of desirable flavors. used to screen bacteria with DNA or Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture protein probes/antibodies for the attributes. presence of collagen adhesion gene in Construction of genetic vectors for various pathogenic and non-pathogenic controlled expression of RNA and/or bacteria, e.g. for selection of strains or protein, fusion protein production, for diagnostic purposes (see e.g. patent genetic modification, mutagenesis WO9207002). It is known that amplification of genetic material or expression of a collagen adhesin is for other genetic or protein essential for the attachment of manipulations. Staphylococcus aureus to cartilage, Altered survival characteristics: which contains collagen (Switalski et survival of industrial processes, al., mol. Microbiol. 7, 99-107, 1993). growth or storage in product formats, Deletion/addition or modification of persistence in gut environment. the gene can alter collagen-binding Altered metabolic properties. properties of cells to the desired effect Altered probiotic attributes. in bacteria-host interactions. Finally, Modified health properties (including protein can be used as an administered immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut reagent in in vitro or in vivo collagen health). binding reactions. Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties.  48 173 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of bacteriophage characteristics, structures or immunity repressor IMMREP. functions. IMMREP is involved in the regulation Modified adhesion to human or of lysogeny in the temperate Bacillus animal cells or cell lines. subtilis phage phi 105, which can Production of desirable flavors. make B. subtilis immune to infection Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture by phi 105 phage (see Cully and Garro, attributes. Gene 38: 153-164, 1985). Can be used Construction of genetic vectors for to manipulate bacteria as to their controlled expression of RNA and/or susceptibility to phage invasion and protein, fusion protein production, hence acquiring desired/undesired genetic modification, mutagenesis genetic element carried by the phage. amplification of genetic material or for other genetic or protein manipulations. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health). Modified antimicrobial properties.  49 174 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of N-acetylmuramoyl-L- characteristics, structures or alanine amidase (EC 3.5.1.28). N- functions. acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase Improved antimicrobial properties hydrolyzes the link between N- Modified adhesion to human or acetylmuramoyl residues and L-amino animal cells or cell lines. acid residues in certain cell-wall Production of desirable flavors. glycopeptides. N-acetylmuramoyl-L- Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture alanine amidases contain a COOH- attributes. terminal choline-binding domain and Construction of genetic vectors for an NH2-terminal catalytic domain. controlled expression of RNA and/or Useful for N-acetylmuramoyl-L- protein, fusion protein production, alanine amidase activity using the genetic modification, mutagenesis peptide in vitro or in vivo, or amplification of genetic material or transgenic bacteria with the gene for other genetic or protein expressed to effect the enzyme manipulations. activity. The DNA or protein can be Altered survival characteristics: used in assays to detect the presence of survival of industrial processes, the gene or protein in various assays. growth or storage in product formats, This enterotoxin related gene is also a persistence in gut environment. vaccine development target for Altered metabolic properties. pathogenic or other undesired bacteria, Altered probiotic attributes. e.g. various Lactobacillus strains. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes.  50 175 Removal of undesirable flavor Homologue of hrdT. hrdT is a characteristics. member of the multidrug resistance Production of desirable flavors. exporter (MDR) family (TC# Modified flavor, aroma, or texture 3.A.1.201) in the ATP-binding attributes. Cassette (ABC) Superfamily of Construction of genetic vectors for transporters. ABC transporters controlled expression of RNA and/or translocate a wide variety of substrates, protein, fusion protein production, including amino acids, peptides, ions, genetic modification, mutagenesis sugars, toxins, lipids, and drugs amplification of genetic material or for other genetic or protein manipulations. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Modified carbohydrate levels or functional properties. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. Organisms or materials with improved health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, lactose tolerance)  51 176 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of adhesin-involved-in- characteristics, structures or diffuse-adherence (AIDA) a fimbrial functions. adhesin and virG (icsA) protein. VirG Improved antimicrobial properties and AIDA are precursor virulence Modified adhesion to human or factors that transport themselves out of animal cells or cell lines. the bacterial cell and are then usually Production of desirable flavors. proteolytically digested to release a Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture soluble protein that can promote attributes. virulence. They are members of the Construction of genetic vectors for autotransporter (AT) family of outer controlled expression of RNA and/or membrane proteins and play an protein, fusion protein production, important role in virulence. The gene genetic modification, mutagenesis is useful as a target for vaccine amplification of genetic material or development of bacteria having this for other genetic or protein kind of gene, as well as manipulation manipulations. of virulence by deletion, addition or Altered survival characteristics: modification of the gene in transgenic survival of industrial processes, bacteria. growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes.  52 177 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of cyclopropane fatty acid characteristics, structures or synthase (cfa). cfa is similar to the functions. cyclopropane-fatty-acyl-phospholipid Modified adhesion to human or synthase of bacteria, and catalyzes a animal cells or cell lines. modification of the acyl chains of Production of desirable flavors. phospholipid bilayers. This gene is Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture useful in modifying the bacterial attributes. phospholipid bilayers by altered Construction of genetic vectors for enzyme activity, e.g. by deleted, added controlled expression of RNA and/or or modified gene in transgenic bacteria protein, fusion protein production, (see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,915: genetic modification, mutagenesis Determining the ability of a compound amplification of genetic material or to inhibit the cyclopropanation of for other genetic or protein mycolic acids in pathogenic manipulations. mycobacteria). Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, apoptosis). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes.  53 178 Removal of undesirable flavor Homologue of adhE. adhE encodes a characteristics. multifunctional dehydrogenase that Production of desirable flavors. catalyzes the conversion of acetyl-CoA Modified flavor, aroma, or texture into ethanol and has acetaldehyde attributes. dehydrogenase [acetylating] (EC Construction of genetic vectors for 1.2.1.10) (ACDH) and alcohol controlled expression of RNA and/or dehydrogenase (ADH) (EC 1.1.1.1) protein, fusion protein production, activities (Arnau et al., J. Bacteriol. genetic modification, mutagenesis 180: 3049-3055, 1998). This enzyme is amplification of genetic material or useful in manipulating alcohol for other genetic or protein dehydrogenation in vitro or in vivo, manipulations. e.g. in fermentation processes or with Altered survival characteristics: transgenic bacteria with deleted, added survival of industrial processes, or modified alcohol dehydrogenase growth or storage in product formats, gene. persistence in gut environment. Modified carbohydrate levels or functional properties. Altered metabolic properties. Modified carbohydrate metabolism. Altered probiotic attributes. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. Organisms or materials with improved health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, lactose tolerance).  54 179 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of biotin carboxylase (EC characteristics, structures or 6.3.4.14). Biotin carboxylase is one functions. component of acetyl CoA carboxylase Modified adhesion to human or which, in turn, catalyzes the regulated animal cells or cell lines. step in long-chain fatty acid synthesis. Production of desirable flavors. This enzyme is useful in manipulating Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture biotin carboxylation in vitro or in vivo, attributes. e.g. in transgenic plants with deleted, Construction of genetic vectors for added or modified gene leading to controlled expression of RNA and/or altered biotin metabolism, thus protein, fusion protein production, affecting insect herbivores which genetic modification, mutagenesis require plant-derived biotin; may also amplification of genetic material or have utility in manipulation of for other genetic or protein herbicide tolerance (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,626: manipulations. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase Altered survival characteristics: compositions and methods of use). survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, apoptosis). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes.  55 180 Removal of undesirable flavor Homologue of the argE gene product characteristics. of E. coli. argE is a N-acetyl-L- Production of desirable flavors. ornithine deacetylase that can remove Modified flavor, aroma, or texture the acetyl-group from N- attributes. acetylphosphinothricin giving the Construction of genetic vectors for cytotoxic compound L- controlled expression of RNA and/or phosphinothricin (Pt, glufosinate). protein, fusion protein production, This gene is useful in related genetic modification, mutagenesis deacetylase reactions, in vitro or in amplification of genetic material or vivo using the proteins as such, of for other genetic or protein bacteria engineered to produce the manipulations. enzyme activity. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Modified carbohydrate levels or functional properties. Altered metabolic properties. Modified carbohydrate metabolism. Altered probiotic attributes. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. Organisms or materials with improved health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, lactose tolerance).  56 181 Production of bioactive or functional Homology to serine proteases, which polypeptides. break down milk proteins during the Removal of undesirable flavor growth of the bacteria on milk. characteristics. Contains the subtilase pattern of the Production of desirable flavors. subtilase family(G-T-S-x-[SA]-x-P- Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture x(2)-[STAVC]-[AG]). Subtilases are attributes. an extensive family of serine proteases Construction of genetic vectors for whose catalytic activity is provided by controlled expression of RNA and/or a charge relay system similar to that of protein, fusion protein production, the trypsin family of serine proteases genetic modification, mutagenesis but which evolved by independent amplification of genetic material or convergent evolution. The sequence for other genetic or protein around the residues involved in the manipulations. catalytic triad (aspartic acid, serine and Altered survival characteristics: histidine) are completely different survival of industrial processes, from that of the analogous residues in growth or storage in product formats, the trypsin serine proteases and can be persistence in gut environment. used as signatures specific to that Altered metabolic properties or category of proteases. This enzyme is regulation of metabolic pathways. similar to prochymosin, a protein used Altered probiotic attributes. in cheese making. The gene is useful in Organisms or materials with protease utilization in protein improved health properties (including processing (see e.g. NL8701378; S. immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut cremoris proteinase). health). Altered resistance to antibiotics.  57 182 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologoue of GABA permeases. characteristics, structures or GABA permeases belong to the amino functions. acid-polyamine-organocation (APC) Modified adhesion to human or superfamily. This superfamily of animal cells or cell lines. transport proteins includes members Production of desirable flavors. that function as solute: cation Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture symporters and solute: solute attributes. antiporters. They occur in bacteria, Construction of genetic vectors for archaea, yeast, fungi, unicellular controlled expression of RNA and/or eukaryotic protists, slime molds, plants protein, fusion protein production, and animals. This enzyme is similar to genetic modification, mutagenesis linoleate isomerase (see e.g. amplification of genetic material or WO9932604-A1). This gene is useful for other genetic or protein in enzyme reactions similar to lineolate manipulations. isomerase, either as a purified protein, Altered survival characteristics: or in transgenic organisms containing survival of industrial processes, the gene effecting the enzyme activity. growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, apoptosis). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes.  58 183 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of iap. iap is a major characteristics, structures or extracellular protein in Listeria, and functions. seems to be required for adherence to Modified adhesion to human or and invasion of 3T6 mouse fibroblasts. animal cells or cell lines. This gene can be useful as a probe to Production of desirable flavors. detect the presence of the gene/protein Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture in various bacteria. Deletion, addition attributes. and modification of the gene in Construction of genetic vectors for transgenic bacteria can alter their controlled expression of RNA and/or extracellular envelope structure, protein, fusion protein production, thereby altering their growth and genetic modification, mutagenesis pathogenicity characteristics. See e.g. amplification of genetic material or Bubert et al., J. Bacteriol. for other genetic or protein 174(24): 8166-8171, 1992. Involved in manipulations. the invasion of cells, could be Altered survival characteristics: necessary for the export of invasion survival of industrial processes, related determinants. iap mediates growth or storage in product formats, adhesion to particular cell surfaces, persistence in gut environment. therefore has utility in persistance in Altered metabolic properties. the gut enviroment, probiotic effects Altered probiotic attributes. and pathogen exclusion. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, apoptosis). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes.  59 184 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of preprotein translocase characteristics, structures or secY subunit. The sequence contains functions. the protein secY signature 1 pattern Modified adhesion to human or (SIFSMGVSPYITAQIVVQLL), the animal cells or cell lines. protein secY signature 2 pattern Production of desirable flavors. (WMGEQITDKGLGNGVSLLI) and Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture C-5 cytosine-specific DNA methylases attributes. C-terminal signature pattern Construction of genetic vectors for (KGLGNGVSLLIFSGIVARL). The controlled expression of RNA and/or eubacterial secY protein plays an protein, fusion protein production, important role in protein export. It genetic modification, mutagenesis interacts with the signal sequences of amplification of genetic material or secretory proteins as well as with two for other genetic or protein other components of the protein manipulations. translocation system: secA and secE. Altered survival characteristics: SecY is an integral plasma membrane survival of industrial processes, protein of 419 to 492 amino acid growth or storage in product formats, residues that apparently contains ten persistence in gut environment. transmembrane segments. Such a Altered metabolic properties. structure probably confers to secY a Altered probiotic attributes. ‘translocator’ function, providing a Modified health properties (including channel for periplasmic and outer- immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut membrane precursor proteins. This health, apoptosis). gene is useful for enhancing Modified antibiotic resistance. extracellular protein production by Improved antimicrobial properties. improved transport from cell (see e.g. Improved fermentation properties or JP5153979A2: Sec Y protein gene) other industrially useful processes.  60 185 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homolougue of cationic amino acid characteristics, structures or transport protein ctrA. As a cell functions. surface protein, ctrA has been shown Modified adhesion to human or to give a strong response as antigen animal cells or cell lines. and could be used as a prominent Production of desirable flavors. target for antibodies and diagnostic Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture procedures or vaccine development attributes. (surface location enhances its exposure Construction of genetic vectors for to the immune system). Amino acid controlled expression of RNA and/or acid metabolism plays a role not only protein, fusion protein production, in metabolism and growth, but also in genetic modification, mutagenesis the production of flavour and aroma amplification of genetic material or compounds. Control over the import for other genetic or protein of amino acids will modulate the manipulations. production of these compounds. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered amino acid metabolism. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, apoptosis). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes.  61 186 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of lipoprotein plpB. characteristics, structures or Bacterial surface lipoproteins give functions. strong responses as antigens and could Modified adhesion to human or be used as prominent targets for animal cells or cell lines. antibodies and diagnostic procedures. Production of desirable flavors. Thus, is useful in vaccine development Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture (surface location enhances its exposure attributes. to the immune system). May also have Construction of genetic vectors for a role in solute binding and adhesion to controlled expression of RNA and/or cell surfaces. Protein, fusion protein production, genetic modification, mutagenesis amplification of genetic material or for other genetic or protein manipulations. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, apoptosis). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. Vaccine development.  62 187 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of dihydrodipicolinate characteristics, structures or synthase (EC 4.2.1.52). functions. Dihydrodipicolinate synthase catalyzes Altered amino acid metabolism. the first step in the biosynthesis of Removal of undesirable flavor diaminopimelate and lysine from characteristics. aspartate semialdehyde; L-aspartate 4- Production of desirable flavors. semialdehyde and pyruvate to Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture dihydrodipicolinate and water. It is attributes. feedback-inhibited by lysine and Construction of genetic vectors for belongs to the dihydrodipicolinate controlled expression of RNA and/or synthetase (DHDPS) family. This protein, fusion protein production, gene is involved in bacterial wall genetic modification, mutagenesis synthesis, and is thus a target for amplification of genetic material or antibiotic development, as its for other genetic or protein inhibition would affect growth of the manipulations. bacterium. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health). Modified antibiotic resistance.  63 188 Construction of genetic vectors for Homologue of GroEL, a heat shock controlled expression of RNA and/or protein, which makes up the GroE protein, fusion protein production, chaperonin system in bacteria together genetic modification, mutagenesis With GroE. It is involved in the amplification of genetic material or folding and assembly of newly for other genetic or protein synthesized polypeptide chains manipulations. released from the translation Production of desirable flavors. machinery and the refolding of stress- Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture denatured proteins. GroEL, a member attributes. of the hsp60 family is a highly Altered survival characteristics: conserved heat-shock chaperonin survival of industrial processes, protein and is an oligomer of 14 growth or storage in product formats, subunits composed of two stacked persistence in gut environment. rings of 7 subunits. This gene is Altered viability in response to stress similar to a gene used in mycobacterial conditions. vaccine development, and is thus a Improved stress-response target for antibiotic development, as its Altered probiotic attributes. inhibition would affect growth of the Vaccine development. bacterium (see e.g. WO9932634-A2: Compositions derived from Mycobacterium vaccae and methods for their use). Also noted as having a role in resistance to environmental stress conditions.  64 189 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of hyaluronan synthase. characteristics, structures or Hyaluronan (or hyaluronic acid or functions. hyaluronate; HA) is a polysaccharide Modified adhesion to human or of the glycosaminoglycans class found animal cells or cell lines. in the extracellular matrix of vertebrate Production of desirable texture. tissues and in the surface coating of Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture certain Streptococcus and Pasteurella attributes. bacterial pathogens. It is a unique Construction of genetic vectors for biopolymer found in all tissues and controlled expression of RNA and/or body fluids in every mammalian protein, fusion protein production, species as well as in microorganisms. genetic modification, mutagenesis HA synthases (HASs) are the enzymes amplification of genetic material or that polymerize HA using uridine for other genetic or protein diphospho-sugar precursors. In all manipulations. known cases, HA is secreted out of the Altered survival characteristics: cell; therefore, HASs are normally survival of industrial processes, found in the outer membranes of the growth or storage in product formats, organism. They were the first class of persistence in gut environment. glycosyltransferases identified in Altered metabolic properties. which a single polypeptide species Altered probiotic attributes. catalyzes the transfer of two different Modified health properties (including monosaccharides; this finding is in immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut contrast to the usual ‘single enzyme, health, apoptosis). single sugar’ dogma of glycobiology. Modified antibiotic resistance. Derivatizing and complexing Improved antimicrobial properties. hyaluronan with other substances Improved fermentation properties or makes it possible to create bioactive other industrially useful processes. (e.g. anti-thrombogenic, anti-bacterial) surfaces. This gene is involved in pathogenesis with cell-cell interactions, differentiation, tissue repair. The gene is also similar to an Enterococcus antigen that is useful in vaccine development (see e.g. WO9850554-A2; Enterococcus faecalis antigenic polypeptide fragment EF017). 65, 111 190, 235 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of MurD. MurD encodes characteristics, structures or UDP-N-acetylmuramoylalanine - D- functions. glutamate ligase (EC 6.3.2.9) also Modified adhesion to human or known as UDP-N-acetylmuramoyl-L- animal cells or cell lines. alanyl-D-glutamate synthetase or D- Production of desirable flavors. glutamic acid adding enzyme catalyzes Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture the addition of D-glutamate to the attributes. nucleotide precursor UDP-N- Construction of genetic vectors for acetylmuramoyl-l-alanine (UMA)and controlled expression of RNA and/or belongs to the cytoplasmic protein, fusion protein production, peptidoglycan synthetases involved in genetic modification, mutagenesis cell wall formation. Thus it is useful amplification of genetic material or for antibiotic development to inhibit for other genetic or protein bacterial cell wall synthesis. manipulations. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties.  66 191 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of transmembrane characteristics, structures or glycoprotein involved in nephritis functions. (inflammation of the kidney). Modified adhesion to human or animal cells or cell lines. Production of desirable texture. Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture attributes. Construction of genetic vectors for controlled expression of RNA and/or protein, fusion protein production, genetic modification, mutagenesis amplification of genetic material or for other genetic or protein manipulations. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, apoptosis). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes.  67 192 Altered amino acid metabolism. Homologue of glutamine transport Removal of undesirable flavor ATP-binding protein glnQ (TC# characteristics. 3.A.1.3.2). glnQ belongs to the polar Production of desirable flavors. amino acid uptake transporter (PAAT) Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture family (TC# 3.A.1.3) of the ATP- attributes. binding Cassette (ABC) superfamily of Construction of genetic vectors for transporters. The enzymatic controlled expression of RNA and/or degradation of amino acids in cheese protein, fusion protein production, plays a major role in cheese flavor genetic modification, mutagenesis development. Amino acid degradation amplification of genetic material or products greatly contribute to flavor or for other genetic or protein to off-flavors (Rijnen et al., Appl. manipulations. Environ. Microbiol. 65: 4873-4880, Altered survival characteristics: 1999). survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health).  68 193 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of fibronectin/fibrinogen- characteristics, structures or binding protein like FBP54. FBP54 is functions. a surface protein that reacts with both Modified adhesion to human or fibronectin and fibrinogen and animal cells or cell lines. therefore may participate in the Production of desirable texture. adhesion of bacteria to host cells. This Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture gene is involved in bacterial entry into attributes. mammalian cells (see Joh et al., Matrix Construction of genetic vectors for Biol. 18: 211-223, 1999). Thus this controlled expression of RNA and/or gene is useful in manipulation of the protein, fusion protein production, binding process to alter pathogenicity genetic modification, mutagenesis through drugs interfering with the gene amplification of genetic material or product. for other genetic or protein manipulations. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, apoptosis). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes.  69 194 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of virulence factor mviM. characteristics, structures or Bacteria that cause disease have functions. special factors which are designated as Modified adhesion to human or virulence factors. These factors animal cells or cell lines. contribute to the virulence of the Production of desirable flavors. microorganisms and to their survival in Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture the hostile environment within the attributes. body of their host. Various signals Construction of genetic vectors for control the expression of the virulence controlled expression of RNA and/or factors. Oxygen, temperature, protein, fusion protein production, concentration of ions, and pH are some genetic modification, mutagenesis of the known signals that change the amplification of genetic material or bacterial virulence. The action of for other genetic or protein virulence factors ranges from adhesion manipulations. mediation to target cells to molecular Altered survival characteristics: mimicry and mobility to pH buffering. survival of industrial processes, The gene is useful as a target for growth or storage in product formats, vaccine development of bacteria persistence in gut environment. having this kind of gene, as well as Altered metabolic properties. manipulation of virulence by deletion, Altered probiotic attributes. addition or modification of the gene in Modified health properties (including transgenic bacteria. immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, apoptosis). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. Vaccine development.  70 195 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of the response regulator characteristics, structures or cheY. Chemotactic receptors at the functions. bacterial cell surface communicate Modified adhesion to human or with flagellar basal structures to elicit animal cells or cell lines. appropriate motor behavior in response Production of desirable flavors. to extracellular stimuli. Genetic and Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture physiological studies indicate that the attributes. product of the cheY gene interacts Construction of genetic vectors for directly with components of the controlled expression of RNA and/or flagellar motor to control swimming protein, fusion protein production, behavior. Response regulators are genetic modification, mutagenesis involved in production of virulence amplification of genetic material or factors, motility, antibiotic resistance for other genetic or protein and cell replication. Inhibitors of these manipulations. proteins would be useful in preventing Altered survival characteristics: bacterium from progressing to survival of industrial processes, pathogenesis, thus useful in medical growth or storage in product formats, treatments against bacteria. May have persistence in gut environment. utility as a controlled expression Regulation of metabolic processes. vector. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, apoptosis). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. 71, 112 196, 236 Modified adhesion to human or Homologue of the mycobacterial animal cells or cell lines. RegX3 protein. RegX3 is a response Production of desirable flavors. regulator, which together with the Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture histidine kinase SenX3 forms a two- attributes. component signal transduction system Construction of genetic vectors for that is positively autoregulated controlled expression of RNA and/or (Himpens et al., Microbiol. 146: 3091-3098, protein, fusion protein production, 2000). Response regulators in genetic modification, mutagenesis bacteria are involved in the bacterium's amplification of genetic material or ability to monitor its surroundings and for other genetic or protein adapt to changes in its environment. manipulations. Several of these bacterial regulators Altered survival characteristics: are involved in virulence and bacterial survival of industrial processes, pathogenesis within the host (see e.g. growth or storage in product formats, U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,572) The response persistence in gut environment. regulators are involved in production Regulation of metabolic processes. of virulence factors, motility, antibiotic Altered probiotic attributes. resistance and cell replication. Modified health properties (including Inhibitors of these proteins would be immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut useful in preventing bacterium from health, apoptosis). progressing to pathogenesis, thus Modified antibiotic resistance. useful in medical treatments against Improved antimicrobial properties. bacteria. May have utility as a Improved fermentation properties or controlled expression vector. other industrially useful processes. 72, 113 197, 237 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of spinosyn biosynthesis. characteristics, structures or Spinosyns are macrolides with a 21- functions. carbon, tetracyclic lactone backbone to Modified adhesion to human or which the deoxysugars forosamine and animal cells or cell lines. tri-O-methylrhamnose are attached. Production of desirable flavors. Macrolides interfere with the Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture peptidlytransfer function of the attributes. ribosome. The macrolide antibiotics, Construction of genetic vectors for which include erythromycin, controlled expression of RNA and/or azithromycin, and the streptogramin protein, fusion protein production, family among others, work by binding genetic modification, mutagenesis the large ribosomal subunit. The amplification of genetic material or molecular details of the binding site for for other genetic or protein macrolides are not well understood. manipulations. The spinosyns, a novel family of Altered survival characteristics: insecticidal macrocyclic lactones, are survival of industrial processes, active on a wide variety of insect pests, growth or storage in product formats, especially lepidopterans and dipterans persistence in gut environment. (see WO9946387-A1: Biosynthetic Regulation of metabolic processes. genes for spinosyn insecticide Altered probiotic attributes. production). This gene can be useful Modified health properties (including in a related compound biosynthesis immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut utilization for bioactive compounds. health, apoptosis). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes.  73 198 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of EpsK protein. EpsK is characteristics, structures or involved in exopolysaccharide functions. biosynthesis. A broad variety of Modified adhesion to human or bacteria produce polysaccharides, animal cells or cell lines. which can either be excreted into the Production of desirable texture. environment as exopolysaccharides Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture (EPSs), form a capsule around the cell attributes. as capsular polysaccharides, or be Construction of genetic vectors for attached to the cell membrane as the O controlled expression of RNA and/or antigens of lipopolysaccharides. The protein, fusion protein production, biosynthesis of polysaccharides that genetic modification, mutagenesis consist of repeating units includes their amplification of genetic material or assembly on a lipid carrier by for other genetic or protein sequential transfer of monosaccharides manipulations. from nucleotide sugars by Altered survival characteristics: glycosyltransferases (GTFs) and the survival of industrial processes, subsequent polymerization and export growth or storage in product formats, of these repeating units. Secreted persistence in gut environment. exopolysaccharides contribute to the Altered metabolic properties. cell protection against environmental Altered probiotic attributes. influences, attachment to surfaces, Modified health properties (including nutrient gathering and to antigenicity. immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut Due to the variation of health, apoptosis). monosaccharide sequences, Modified antibiotic resistance. condensation linkages and non- Improved antimicrobial properties. carbohydrate decorations, an infinite Improved fermentation properties or array of structures can be provided by other industrially useful processes. these sugar polymers. Deletion, addition and modification of the gene in transgenic bacteria can alter their extracellular envelope structure, thereby altering their growth and pathogenicity characteristics.  74 199 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of CpxA protein. CpxA is characteristics, structures or involved in several diverse cellular functions. processes, such as the functioning of Modified adhesion to human or acetohydroxyacid synthetase I, in the animal cells or cell lines. biosynthesis of isoleucine and valine, Production of desirable flavors. the traJ protein activation activity for Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture tra gene expression in F plasmid, and attributes. the synthesis, translocation, or stability Construction of genetic vectors for of cell envelope proteins. It also controlled expression of RNA and/or activates CpxR by phosphorylation. protein, fusion protein production, The CpxA-CpxR two-component genetic modification, mutagenesis signal transduction system regulates amplification of genetic material or gene expression in adaptation to for other genetic or protein adverse conditions. These include manipulations. envelope protein distress, heat shock, Altered survival characteristics: oxidative stress, high pH, and entry survival of industrial processes, into stationary phase. This gene can be growth or storage in product formats, useful in manipulation the sensory persistence in gut environment. apparatus related functions by deletion, Regulation of metabolic processes. addition or modification of the gene in Altered probiotic attributes. transgenic bacteria, or as a drug target Modified health properties (including to interfere with bacterial signaling immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut systems. May have utility as a health, apoptosis). controlled expression vector. Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes.  75 200 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of 1,4-dihydroxy-2- characteristics, structures or naphthoate octaprenyltransferase. 1,4- functions. dihydroxy-2-naphthoate Production of desirable flavors. octaprenyltransferase is a membrane- Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture associated enzyme that converts the attributes. soluble bicyclic naphthalenoid Construction of genetic vectors for compound 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic controlled expression of RNA and/or acid (DHNA) to membrane-bound protein, fusion protein production, demethylmenaquinone, a key step in genetic modification, mutagenesis the menaquinone biosynthesis. amplification of genetic material or for other genetic or protein manipulations. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Regulation of metabolic processes. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, apoptosis). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes.  76 201 Production of desirable flavors. Homologue of the bifunctional Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture bacterial gene HpcE coding for 2- attributes. hydroxyhepta-2,4-diene-1,7- Construction of genetic vectors for dioateisomerase and 5-carboxymethyl- controlled expression of RNA and/or 2-oxo-hex-3-ene-1,7- protein, fusion protein production, dioatedecarboxylase (EC 5.3.3.—). genetic modification, mutagenesis HpcE produces 2-hydroxyhepta-2,4- amplification of genetic material or diene, 1,7-dioate from 5- for other genetic or protein carboxymethyl-2-oxo-hex-3-ene-1,5- manipulations. dioate or 5-Carboxymethyl-2- Altered survival characteristics: hydroxymuconate. survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Regulation of metabolic processes. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, apoptosis). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes.  77 202 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of UbiX. UbiX codes for characteristics, structures or 3-octaprenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate functions. carboxy-lyase (EC 4.1.1.—) and that Modified adhesion to human or catalyzes the third reaction in animal cells or cell lines. ubiquinone biosynthesis pathway, the Production of desirable flavors, conversion of 3-octaprenyl-4- Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture hydroxybenzoate to 2-octaprenyl attributes. phenol, and normally functions in Construction of genetic vectors for association with the cytoplasmic controlled expression of RNA and/or membrane. protein, fusion protein production, genetic modification, mutagenesis amplification of genetic material or for other genetic or protein manipulations. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Regulation of metabolic processes. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, apoptosis). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. 78, 114 203, 238 Removal of undesirable flavor Homologue of lacG. LacG codes for characteristics. the enzyme 6-phospho-beta- Modified flavor, aroma, texture galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.85) that is part attributes. of the lactose metabolism and Construction of genetic vectors for hydrolyzes phospholactose, the controlled expression of RNA and/or product of a phosphor-enolpyruvate- protein, fusion protein production, dependent phosphotransferase system. genetic modification, mutagenesis It belongs to the glycosidase family 1 amplification of genetic material or and contributes to bitter flavor. for other genetic or protein manipulations. Altered survival characteristics: (survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment). Modified carbohydrate levels or functional properties. Altered metabolic properties. Modified lactose metabolism. Altered probiotic attributes. Organisms or materials with improved health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, lactose tolerance). 79, 115 204, 239 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of the dnrH, dpsA-dpsF characteristics, structures or genes, which encode daunorubicin functions. (DNR)-doxorubicin (DXR) polyketide Production of desirable flavors. synthase (PKS). DNR and its C-14- Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture hydroxylated derivative DXR are attributes. among the most important antitumor Construction of genetic vectors for antibiotics in current use. Both controlled expression of RNA and/or antibiotics are produced by protein, fusion protein production, Streptomyces peucetius through a genetic modification, mutagenesis pathway involving a type II PKS, amplification of genetic material or which executes the condensation of for other genetic or protein propionyl coenzyme A (CoA), as the manipulations. starter unit, and nine malonyl-CoA Altered survival characteristics: extender units in the production of a survival of industrial processes, 21-carbon decaketide (Bao et al., J. growth or storage in product formats, Bacteriol. 181: 4690-4695, 1999). persistence in gut environment. Regulation of metabolic processes. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, apoptosis). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes.  80 205 Construction of genetic vectors for Homologue of decaprenyl diphosphate controlled expression of RNA and/or (decaprenyl-PP) synthase. Decaprenyl- protein, fusion protein production, PP synthase catalyzes the consecutive genetic modification, mutagenesis condensation of isopentenyl amplification of genetic material or diphosphate with allylic diphosphates for other genetic or protein to produce decaprenyl-PP, which is manipulations. used for the side chain of ubiquinone Production of desirable flavors. (Q)-10. Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture attributes. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered phosphate metabolism. Altered viability in response to stress conditions. Altered metabolic properties or regulation of metabolic pathways. Altered probiotic attributes. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. 81, 116 206, 240 Construction of genetic vectors for Homologue of geranyltranstransferase controlled expression of RNA and/or (EC 2.5.1.10) also known as farnesyl- protein, fusion protein production, diphosphate synthase. genetic modification, mutagenesis Geranyltranstransferase catalyzes the amplification of genetic material or basic chain-elongation reaction in the for other genetic or protein isoprene biosynthetic pathway, the manipulations. condensation of isopentenyl Production of desirable flavors. pyrophosphate with dimethylallyl Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture pyrophosphate to give geranyl attributes. pyrophosphate. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered phosphate metabolism. Altered viability in response to stress conditions. Altered metabolic properties or regulation of metabolic pathways. Altered probiotic attributes. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes.  82 207 Construction of genetic vectors for Homologue of heptaprenyl controlled expression of RNA and/or diphosphate synthase. Heptaprenyl protein, fusion protein production, diphosphate synthase catalyzes the genetic modification, mutagenesis condensation of four molecules of amplification of genetic material or isopentenyl diphosphate with farnesyl for other genetic or protein diphosphate to give heptaprenyl manipulations. diphosphate, which is involved in the Production of desirable flavors. biosynthesis of the side chain of Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture menaquinone-7 (Zhang et al., J. attributes. Bacteriol. 179: 1417-1419, 1997) Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered phosphate metabolism. Altered viability in response to stress conditions. Altered metabolic properties or regulation of metabolic pathways. Altered probiotic attributes. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. 83-85, 208-210, Construction of genetic vectors for Homologue of the ispE (formerly 117 241 controlled expression of RNA and/or designated ychB) gene. IspE encodes protein, fusion protein production, 4-(cytidine 5′-diphospho)-2-C-methyl- genetic modification, mutagenesis D-erythritol kinase also called 4- amplification of genetic material or diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D- for other genetic or protein erythritol kinase (EC 2.7.1.148) that manipulations. belongs to the non-mevalonate Production of desirable flavors. terpenoid biosynthesis pathway and Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture catalyzes the phosphorylation of 4- attributes. diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D- Altered survival characteristics: erythritol yielding 4-diphosphocytidyl- survival of industrial processes, 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 2-phosphate growth or storage in product formats, (Rohdich et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. persistence in gut environment. USA 97: 8251-8256, 2000). Altered phosphate metabolism. Altered viability in response to stress conditions. Altered metabolic properties or regulation of metabolic pathways. Altered probiotic attributes. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. 86, 88 211, 213 Construction of genetic vectors for Homologue of MIAA that encodes controlled expression of RNA and/or tRNA delta(2)- protein, fusion protein production, isopentenylpyrophosphate transferase genetic modification, mutagenesis (EC 2.5.1.8), which catalyzes the first amplification of genetic material or step in the biosynthesis of 2- for other genetic or protein methylthio-n6-(delta(2)-isopentenyl)- manipulations. adenosine (ms[2]i[6]a]) adjacent to the Production of desirable flavors. anticodon of several tRNA species. Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture attributes. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered phosphate metabolism. Altered viability in response to stress conditions. Altered metabolic properties or regulation of metabolic pathways. Altered probiotic attributes. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes.  87 212 Construction of genetic vectors for Homologue of mvaD coding for controlled expression of RNA and/or mevalonate pyrophosphate protein, fusion protein production, decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.33). MvaD is genetic modification, mutagenesis part of the mevalonate pathway for the amplification of genetic material or biosynthesis of the central isoprenoid for other genetic or protein precursor, isopentenyl diphosphate by manipulations. catalyzing the reaction of mevalonate Production of desirable flavors. 5-diphosphate (MVADP) with ATP to Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture produce isopentenyl diphosphate, attributes. ADP, CO₂, and inorganic phosphate. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered phosphate metabolism. Altered viability in response to stress conditions. Altered metabolic properties or regulation of metabolic pathways. Altered probiotic attributes. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. 89, 90 214, 215 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of mraY, coding for characteristics, structures or phospho-N-acetylmuramoyl- functions. pentapeptide-transferase (EC 2.7.8.13) Modified adhesion to human or also known as UDP-N-acetyl- animal cells or cell lines. muramoyl-L-alanyl-D-gamma- Production of desirable flavors. glutamyl-L-lysyl-D-alanyl-D- Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture alanine: undecaprenoid-alcohol- attributes. phosphate-phospho-N- Construction of genetic vectors for acetylmuramoyl-pentapeptide- controlled expression of RNA and/or transferase. mraY catalyzes the protein, fusion protein production, formation of undecaprenyl- genetic modification, mutagenesis pyrophosphoryl-N-acetylmuramoyl- amplification of genetic material or pentapeptide from UDP-N- for other genetic or protein acetylmuramoyl-pentapeptide and manipulations. undecaprenyl-phosphate, the first step Altered survival characteristics: in the lipid cycle reactions in survival of industrial processes, biosynthesis of bacterial cell wall growth or storage in product formats, peptidoglycans. Phospho-N- persistence in gut environment. acetylmuramoyl-pentapeptide- Altered metabolic properties. transferase is an integral membrane Altered probiotic attributes. protein and belongs to the Modified health properties (including glycosyltransferase family 4 mraY immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut subfamily. health). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. 91, 92 216, 217 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of UPPS, encoding characteristics, structures or undecaprenyl pyrophosphate functions. synthetase (EC 2.5.1.31). UPPS Modified adhesion to human or catalyzes the Z-oligomerization of animal cells or cell lines. isopentenyl units with farnesyl Production of desirable flavors. pyrophosphate as a priming substrate Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture to give C50 and C55 prenyl attributes. pyrophosphates with Z,E mixed Construction of genetic vectors for stereochemistry. Undecaprenyl controlled expression of RNA and/or pyrophosphate synthetase is required protein, fusion protein production, as a lipid carrier of glycosyl transfer in genetic modification, mutagenesis the biosynthesis of a variety of cell amplification of genetic material or wall polysaccharide components in for other genetic or protein bacteria. manipulations. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. 93, 94 218, 219 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of Cps-like gene products characteristics, structures or are involved in bacterial capsular functions. polysaccharide (CP) biosynthesis. Modified adhesion to human or Bacterial CPs are generally composed animal cells or cell lines. of repeating oligosaccharides and are Production of desirable flavors. involved in resistance to Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture opsonophagocytosis, avoidance of the attributes. immune system of the host and Construction of genetic vectors for attachment. Cps genes are normally controlled expression of RNA and/or clustered on the bacterial chromosome protein, fusion protein production, and have a common genetic genetic modification, mutagenesis organization involving three functional amplification of genetic material or regions. Cps14E codes for for other genetic or protein undecaprenyl-phosphate Glc-1- manipulations. phosphate transferase that links Altered survival characteristics: glucose to an undecaprenylphosphate survival of industrial processes, lipid carrier, the first step in the growth or storage in product formats, biosynthesis of enterobacterial persistence in gut environment. common antigen as well as of many O- Altered metabolic properties. specific lipopolysaccharides (Kolkman Altered probiotic attributes. et al., J. Biol. Chem. 272: 19502-19508, Modified health properties (including 1997). immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. 95, 97 220, 221 Production of bioactive or functional Homologue of pepV, encoding Xaa- polypeptides. His dipeptidase (EC 3.4.13.3) Removal of undesirable flavor (carnosinase). PepV is a characteristics. metalloenzyme member of the Production of desirable flavors. metallopeptidase families M20A or Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture M25, with activity against beta-alanyl- attributes. dipeptides. It hydrolyzes a broad range Construction of genetic vectors for of dipeptides including carnosine controlled expression of RNA and/or (beta-alanyl-histidine) but no tri-, tetra-, protein, fusion protein production, or larger oligopeptides. PepV in genetic modification, mutagenesis related lactic acid bacteria act as amplification of genetic material or intracellular dipeptidases (Hellendorn for other genetic or protein et al., J. Bacteriol. 179: 3410-3415) manipulations. and are important in the final Altered survival characteristics: breakdown of casein. PepV mutants survival of industrial processes, exhibit slower growth rates in milk and growth or storage in product formats, alter some flavor characteristics. The persistence in gut environment. proteolytic system of lactic acid Altered metabolic properties or bacteria is essential for bacterial regulation of metabolic pathways. growth in milk but also for the Altered probiotic attributes. development of the organoleptic Organisms or materials with properties of dairy products. PepV is improved health properties (including involved both in bacterial growth by immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut supplying amino acids, and in the health). development of flavor in dairy Altered resistance to antibiotics. products, by hydrolyzing peptides (including bitter peptides) and liberating aromatic amino acids which are important precursors of aroma compounds (Fernandez-Espla and Rul, Eur. J. Biochem. 263: 502-510, 1999).  98 222 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of a 19 kDa secreted characteristics, structures or immunogenic lipoprotein. The 19 kDa functions. lipoprotein gives a strong response as Modified adhesion to human or antigen and could be used as a animal cells or cell lines. prominent target for antibodies and Production of desirable flavors. diagnostic procedures. It is a secreted Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture lipoprotein isolated from attributes. Mycobacterium tuberculosis Construction of genetic vectors for (Ashbridge et al. Nucleic. Acids Res. controlled expression of RNA and/or 17: 1249-1253, 1989). It is protein, fusion protein production, immunogenic and stimulates TH1-type genetic modification, mutagenesis T cell responses (Mohagheghpour et amplification of genetic material or al., J. Immunol. 161: 2400-2406, 1998). for other genetic or protein manipulations. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. Vaccine production.  99 223, 253 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of LecLA2-20, a lectin- characteristics, structures or like protein LA2-20. Lectins are functions. ubiquitous proteins, which exhibit a Modified adhesion to human or specific and reversible sugar-binding animal cells or cell lines. activity. They react with glycosylated Production of desirable flavors. macromolecules and cells and may Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture coaggragate them and lead to their attributes. lysis or alterations (Gilboa-Garber and Construction of genetic vectors for Garber, FEMS Microbiol. Rev. 5: 211-221, controlled expression of RNA and/or 1989). May have a role in protein, fusion protein production, intestinal adhesion via mucin-binding genetic modification, mutagenesis capability (Matsumura et al., J. Dairy amplification of genetic material or Sci. 82: 2523-2529, 1999). for other genetic or protein manipulations. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. Vaccine production. 100 224 Altered amino acid metabolism. Homologue of ilvB that encodes Removal of undesirable flavor acetolactate synthase (EC 4.1.3.18). characteristics. IlvB catalyzes the first step common to Altered cell wall or cell surface the biosynthesis of the branched-chain characteristics, structures or amino acids (valine, leucine and functions. isoleucine). The enzyme catalyzes two Production of desirable flavors. parallel reactions: condensation of two Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture molecules of pyruvate to give rise to attributes. acetolactate and condensation of Construction of genetic vectors for pyruvate and alpha-ketobutyrate to controlled expression of RNA and/or yield acetohydroxybutyrate. The protein, fusion protein production, enzyme is inhibited by the end genetic modification, mutagenesis products of the pathway (Singh et al., amplification of genetic material or Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88: 145 72-4576, for other genetic or protein 1991). Lactic acid bacteria are manipulations. nutritionally demanding bacteria which Altered survival characteristics: need amino acids for optimal growth. survival of industrial processes, Therefore the branched-chain amino growth or storage in product formats, acid (BCAA) biosynthesis pathway is persistence in gut environment. an essential pathway for optimal Altered metabolic properties. growth of lactic acid bacteria in milk. Altered probiotic attributes. Branch chain amino acids impact on Modified health properties (including cheese flavor (Yvon et al., Appl. immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut Environ. Microbiol. 63: 414-419, health). 1997). Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. 101 225 Altered amino acid metabolism. Homologue of ilvG (an isoenzyme of Removal of undesirable flavor ilvB) that encodes acetolactate characteristics. synthase (EC 4.1.3.18). IlvG catalyzes Altered cell wall or cell surface the first step common to the characteristics, structures or biosynthesis of the branched-chain functions. amino acids (valine, leucine and production of desirable flavors. isoleucine). The enzyme catalyzes two Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture parallel reactions: condensation of two attributes. molecules of pyruvate to give rise to Construction of genetic vectors for acetolactate and condensation of controlled expression of RNA and/or pyruvate and alpha-ketobutyrate to protein, fusion protein production, yield acetohydroxybutyrate. The genetic modification, mutagenesis enzyme is inhibited by the end amplification of genetic material or products of the pathway (Singh et al., for other genetic or protein Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88: 4572-4576, manipulations. 1991). Lactic acid bacteria are Altered survival characteristics: nutritionally demanding bacteria which survival of industrial processes, need amino acids for optimal growth. growth or storage in product formats, Thus, the branched-chain amino acid persistence in gut environment. (BCAA) biosynthesis pathway is an Atered metabolic properties. essential pathway for optimal growth Altered probiotic attributes. of lactic acid bacteria in milk and Modified health properties (including impacts on cheese flavor (Yvon et al., immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 63: 414-419, health). 1997). Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. 102 226 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of basic surface protein characteristics, structures or BspA of Lactobacillus fermentum. functions. BspA is involved in L-cysteine uptake. Modified adhesion to human or BspA is believed to belong to the animal cells or cell lines. family III of the bacterial solute- Production of desirable flavors. binding proteins and does not contain a Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture lipoprotein consensus sequence attributes. (Turner et al., J. Bacteriol. 179: 3310-3316, Construction of genetic vectors for 1997). Members of the family III controlled expression of RNA and/or solute binding proteins have been protein, fusion protein production, shown to bind polar amino acids and genetic modification, mutagenesis opines such as cystine, glutamine, amplification of genetic material or arginine, histidine, lysine, octopine, for other genetic or protein and nopaline. Implicated in response manipulations. to oxidative stress (Turner et al., J. Altered survival characteristics: Bacteriol. 181: 2192-2198, 1999). survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered amino acid metabolism. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, apoptosis). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. 103, 118 227, 242 Altered cell wall or cell surface Homologue of outer membrane characteristics, structures or lipoprotein gna1946, similar to HlpA functions. of H. influenzae. H1pA belongs to the Modified adhesion to human or N1pA family of lipoproteins like the animal cells or cell lines. iap genes. Production of desirable flavors. Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture attributes. Construction of genetic vectors for controlled expression of RNA and/or protein, fusion protein production, genetic modification, mutagenesis amplification of genetic material or for other genetic or protein manipulations. Altered survival characteristics: survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered probiotic attributes. Modified health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health, apoptosis). Modified antibiotic resistance. Improved antimicrobial properties. Improved fermentation properties or other industrially useful processes. 104 228 Construction of genetic vectors for Homologue of cold shock protein controlled expression of RNA and/or cspB. CspB is involved in an adaptive protein, fusion protein production, process required for cell viability at genetic modification, mutagenesis low temperatures or may function as amplification of genetic material or antifreeze protein. Several bacteria for other genetic or protein react to a sudden downshift in manipulations. temperature by the production of a set Production of desirable flavors. of proteins, together forming the cold- Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture shock stimulon, that includes small (7- attributes, kDa) cold-shock proteins (CSPs). In a Altered survival characteristics: variety of bacteria, families of CSPs, survival of industrial processes, consisting of three to nine members, growth or storage in product formats, have been described of which CspA in persistence in gut environment. E. coli (CspAE) and CspB in Bacillus Altered viability in response to stress subtilis (CspBB) are the best conditions. characterized. CspAE and CspBB are Altered metabolic properties or capable of binding to single-stranded regulation of metabolic pathways. DNA and RNA, and based on these Altered probiotic attributes. characteristics, several functions for Improved fermentation properties or CSPs have been suggested, such as other industrially useful processes. transcriptional activators, RNA chaperones that facilitate the initiation of translation, and freeze-protective proteins. Recently it has been shown that CSPs might regulate the expression of cold-induced genes as antiterminators. Regulation of csp genes takes place at several levels, and for CspAE it was shown that cold- shock induction is achieved at the transcriptional level as well as at the level of mRNA and protein stability (Wouters et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol 67: 5171-5178, 2001). 105, 120 229, 244 Production of desirable flavors. Homologue of fabF, beta-ketoacyl Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture synthase (acyl carrier protein). FabF is attributes. part of the fatty acid biosynthesis (fab) Construction of genetic vectors for gene cluster (fabD-fabH-acpP-fabF) controlled expression of RNA and/or involved in fatty acid biosynthesis. protein, fusion protein production, FabF is the condensing enzyme genetic modification, mutagenesis thought to be responsible for amplification of genetic material or elongation of fatty acids. The fab for other genetic or protein genes are important in the production manipulations. of butyric acid, with important flavor Altered survival characteristics: and health impacts. It also has survival of industrial processes, antibiotic effects and may be growth or storage in product formats, protective against colon cancer persistence in gut environment. (Mortensen and Clausen, Scand. J. Altered metabolic properties. Gastroenterol. Suppl. 216: 132-148, Modified lipid, glycolipid or free 1996). fatty acid levels or functional properties. Modified production of short chain fatty acids. Altered lipid metabolism. Altered probiotic attributes. Organisms or materials with improved health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health) 120 245 Production of desirable flavors. Homologue of accA, which encodes Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture the acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha attributes. subunit (EC 6.4.1.2). AccA is part of Construction of genetic vectors for the acc operon. E. coli acetyl-CoA controlled expression of RNA and/or carboxylase catalyzes the first protein, fusion protein production, committed and rate-controlling step in genetic modification, mutagenesis fatty acid biosynthesis. Fatty acids in amplification of genetic material or gram-positive bacteria act as signaling for other genetic or protein molecules that are important for cell manipulations. differentiation (Marini et al., J. Altered survival characteristics: Bacteriol. 177: 7003-7006, 1995). survival of industrial processes, growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Modified lipid, glycolipid or free fatty acid levels or functional properties. Modified production of short chain fatty acids. Altered lipid metabolism. Altered probiotic attributes. Organisms or materials with improved health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health) 120 246 Production of desirable flavors. Homologue of accB encoding biotin Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture carboxyl carrier protein (BCCP), a part attributes. of the acc operon. E. coli acetyl-CoA Construction of genetic vectors for carboxylase catalyzes the first controlled expression of RNA and/or committed and rate-controlling step in protein, fusion protein production, fatty acid biosynthesis. The overall genetic modification, mutagenesis reaction catalyzed by acetyl-CoA amplification of genetic material or carboxylase proceeds via two half- for other genetic or protein reactions. To carry out this two-step manipulations. reaction acetyl-CoA carboxylase Altered survival characteristics: requires three distinct components: survival of industrial processes, biotin carboxylase, biotin carboxyl growth or storage in product formats, carrier protein, and persistence in gut environment. carboxyltransferase. The biotin Altered metabolic properties. carboxylase component catalyzes the Modified lipid, glycolipid or free first half-reaction, which is an ATP- fatty acid levels or functional dependent carboxylation of the vitamin properties. biotin. In vivo, biotin is covalently Modified production of short chain attached to the biotin carboxyl carrier fatty acids. protein designated as BCCP. (Janiyani Altered lipid metabolism. et al., J. Biol. Chem. 276: 29864-29870, Altered probiotic attributes. 2001). Indications are that fatty Organisms or materials with acids in gram-positive bacteria act as improved health properties (including signaling molecules that are important immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut for cell differentiation (Marini et al., J. health) Bacteriol. 177: 7003-7006, 1995). 120 247 Production of desirable flavors. Homologue of accC encoding the Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture biotin carboxylase (EC 6.3.4.14), a attributes. part of the acc operon. E. coli acetyl- Construction of genetic vectors for CoA carboxylase catalyzes the first controlled expression of RNA and/or committed and rate-controlling step in protein, fusion protein production, fatty acid biosynthesis. The overall genetic modification, mutagenesis reaction catalyzed by acetyl-CoA amplification of genetic material or carboxylase proceeds via two half- for other genetic or protein reactions. To carry out this two-step manipulations. reaction acetyl-CoA carboxylase Altered survival characteristics: requires three distinct components: survival of industrial processes, biotin carboxylase, biotin carboxyl growth or storage in product formats, carrier protein, and persistence in gut environment. carboxyltransferase. The biotin Altered metabolic properties. carboxylase component catalyzes the Modified lipid, glycolipid or free first half-reaction, which is an ATP- fatty acid levels or functional dependent carboxylation of the vitamin properties. biotin. In vivo, biotin is covalently Modified production of short chain attached to the biotin carboxyl carrier fatty acids. protein designated as BCCP. The Altered lipid metabolism. second half-reaction, the transfer of the Altered probiotic attributes. carboxyl group from carboxybiotin to Organisms or materials with acetyl-CoA to make malonyl-CoA, is improved health properties (including catalyzed by the carboxyltransferase immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut component. The chain length of newly health) synthesized fatty acids depends on the concentration of malonyl-CoA (Janiyani et al., J. Biol. Chem. 276: 29864-29870, 2001). Indications are that fatty acids in gram-positive bacteria act as signaling molecules that are important for cell differentiation (Marini et al., J. Bacteriol. 177: 7003-7006, 1995). 120 248 Production of desirable flavors. Homologue of accD encoding the Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture acetyl-coA carboxylase carboxyl attributes. transferase subunit beta (EC 6.4.1.2), a Construction of genetic vectors for part of the acc operon. E. coli acetyl- controlled expression of RNA and/or CoA carboxylase catalyzes the first protein, fusion protein production, committed and rate-controlling step in genetic modification, mutagenesis fatty acid biosynthesis. The overall amplification of genetic material or reaction catalyzed by acetyl-CoA for other genetic or protein carboxylase proceeds via two half- manipulations. reactions. To carry out this two-step Altered survival characteristics: reaction acetyl-CoA carboxylase survival of industrial processes, requires three distinct components: growth or storage in product formats, biotin carboxylase, biotin carboxyl persistence in gut environment. carrier protein, and Altered metabolic properties. carboxyltransferase. The biotin Modified lipid, glycolipid or free carboxylase component catalyzesthe fatty acid levels or functional first half-reaction, which is an ATP- properties. dependent carboxylation of the vitamin Modified production of short chain biotin. In vivo, biotin is covalently fatty acids. attached to the biotin carboxyl carrier Altered lipid metabolism. protein designated as BCCP. The Altered probiotic attributes. second half-reaction, the transfer of the Organisms or materials with carboxyl group from carboxybiotin to improved health properties (including acetyl-CoA to make malonyl-CoA, is immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut catalyzed by the carboxyltransferase health) component. The chain length of newly synthesized fatty acids appears to depend on the concentration of malonyl-CoA (Janiyani et al., J. Biol. Chem. 276: 29864-29870, 2001). Indications are that fatty acids in gram- positive bacteria act as signaling molecules that are important for cell differentiation (Marini et al., J. Bacteriol. 177: 7003-7006, 1995). 120 249 Production of desirable flavors. Homologue of fabD, malonyl Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture coenzyme A-acyl carrier protein attributes. transacylase, which is part of the fatty Construction of genetic vectors for acid biosynthesis (fab) gene cluster controlled expression of RNA and/or (fabD-fabH-acpP-fabF) involved in protein, fusion protein production, fatty acid biosynthesis. FabD genetic modification, mutagenesis overexpression leads to altered fatty amplification of genetic material or acid composition in E. coli, with for other genetic or protein increased amounts of cis-vaccenate manipulations. incorporated into membrane Altered survival characteristics: phospholipids. The fab genes are survival of industrial processes, important in the production of butyric growth or storage in product formats, acid, with important flavor and health persistence in gut environment. impacts. It also has antibiotic effects Altered metabolic properties. and may be protective against colon Modified lipid, glycolipid or free cancer (Mortensen and Clausen, fatty acid levels or functional Scand. J. Gastroenterol. Suppl. properties. 216: 132-148, 1996). Modified production of short chain fatty acids. Altered lipid metabolism. Altered probiotic attributes. Organisms or materials with improved health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health) 120 250 Production of desirable flavors. Homologue of fox2, encoding Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture peroxisomal hydratase-dehydrogenase- attributes. epimerase (HDE) also known as Construction of genetic vectors for multifunctional beta-oxidation protein controlled expression of RNA and/or (MFP). Fox2 is the second protein, fusion protein production, trifunctional enzyme acting on the genetic modification, mutagenesis beta-oxidation (cellular fatty acid amplification of genetic material or degradation) pathway for fatty acids, for other genetic or protein possessing hydratase-dehydrogenase- manipulations. epimerase activities. This enzyme Altered survival characteristics: converts trans-2-enoyl-CoA via d-3- survival of industrial processes, hydroxyacyl-CoA to 3-ketoacyl-CoA. growth or storage in product formats, persistence in gut environment. Altered metabolic properties. Modified lipid, glycolipid or free fatty acid levels or functional properties. Modified production of short chain fatty acids. Altered lipid metabolism. Altered probiotic attributes. Organisms or materials with improved health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health) 120 251 Production of desirable flavors. Homologue of ncd2 gene, encoding 2- Modified flavor, aroma and/or texture nitropropane dioxygenase (EC attributes. 1.13.11.32) also called nitroalkane Construction of genetic vectors for oxidase. Ncd2 is a flavoprotein that controlled expression of RNA and/or catalyzes the oxidation of nitroalkanes protein, fusion protein production, to respective aldehydes or ketones with genetic modification, mutagenesis production of nitrite and water. amplification of genetic material or Nitroalkanes are widely used as for other genetic or protein industrial solvents, chemical manipulations. intermediates, explosives and fuels. Altered survival characteristics: Several nitroalkanes are toxic and/or survival of industrial processes, carcinogenic. Thus, an enzymatic growth or storage in product formats, activity that converts nitroalkanes into persistence in gut environment. less harmful species has significant Altered metabolic properties. potential for bioremediation. Altered lipid metabolism. Altered probiotic attributes. Organisms or materials with improved health properties (including immunoregulatory, anticancer, gut health). Bioremediation of toxic, carcinogenic or otherwise harmful substances.

[0063] Isolated polynucleotides of the present invention include the polynucleotides identified herein as SEQ ID NOS: 1-121; isolated polynucleotides comprising a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 1-121; isolated polynucleotides comprising at least a specified number of contiguous residues (x-mers) of any of the polynucleotides identified as SEQ ID NOS: 1-121; isolated polynucleotides comprising a polynucleotide sequence that is complementary to any of the above polynucleotides; isolated polynucleotides comprising a polynucleotide sequence that is a reverse sequence or a reverse complement of any of the above polynucleotides; antisense sequences corresponding to any of the above polynucleotides; and variants of any of the above polynucleotides, as that term is described in this specification.

[0064] The word “polynucleotide(s),” as used herein, means a single or double stranded polymer of deoxyribonucleotide or ribonucleotide bases and includes DNA and corresponding RNA molecules, including mRNA molecules, both sense and antisense strands of DNA and RNA molecules, and comprehends cDNA, genomic DNA and recombinant DNA, as well as wholly or partially synthesized polynucleotides. A polynucleotide of the present invention may be an entire gene, or any portion thereof. A gene is a DNA sequence which codes for a functional protein or RNA molecule. Operable antisense polynucleotides may comprise a fragment of the corresponding polynucleotide, and the definition of “polynucleotide” therefore includes all operable antisense fragments. Antisense polynucleotides and techniques involving antisense polynucleotides are well known in the art and are described, for example, in Robinson-Benion, et al., “Antisense techniques,” Methods in Enzymol. 254(23): 363-375, 1995; and Kawasaki, et al., Artific. Organs 20 (8): 836-848, 1996.

[0065] The definitions of the terms “complement,” “reverse complement,” and “reverse sequence,” as used herein, are best illustrated by the following examples. For the sequence 5′ AGGACC 3′, the complement, reverse complement, and reverse sequences are as follows:

[0066] complement 3′ TCCTGG 5′

[0067] reverse complement 3′ GGTCCT 5′

[0068] reverse sequence 5′ CCAGGA 3′

[0069] Identification of genomic DNA and heterologous species DNA can be accomplished by standard DNA/DNA hybridization techniques, under appropriately stringent conditions, using all or part of a DNA sequence as a probe to screen an appropriate library. Alternatively, PCR techniques using oligonucleotide primers that are designed based on known DNA and protein sequences can be used to amplify and identify other identical or similar DNA sequences. Synthetic DNA corresponding to the identified sequences or variants thereof may be produced by conventional synthesis methods. All of the polynucleotides described herein are isolated and purified, as those terms are commonly used in the art.

[0070] The polynucleotides identified as SEQ ID NOS: 1-121 contain open reading frames (“ORFs”), or partial open reading frames, encoding polypeptides. Additionally, polynucleotides identified as SEQ ID NOS: 1-121 may contain non-coding sequences such as promoters and terminators that may be useful as control elements. Additionally, open reading frames encoding polypeptides may be identified in extended or full-length sequences corresponding to the sequences set out as SEQ ID NOS: 122-253. Open reading frames may be identified using techniques that are well known in the art. These techniques include, for example, analysis for the location of known start and stop codons, most likely reading frame identification based on codon frequencies, similarity to known bacterial expressed genes, etc. Tools and software suitable for ORF analysis include GeneWise (The Sanger Center, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, United Kingdom), Diogenes (Computational Biology Centers, University of Minnesota, Academic Health Center, UMHG Box 43 Minneapolis Minn. 55455), and GRAIL (Informatics Group, Oak Ridge National Laboratories, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Tenn.). Open reading frames and portions of open reading frames may be identified in the polynucleotides of the present invention. Once a partial open reading frame is identified, the polynucleotide may be extended in the area of the partial open reading frame using techniques that are well known in the art until the polynucleotide for the full open reading frame is identified. Thus, polynucleotides and open reading frames encoding polypeptides may be identified using the polynucleotides of the present invention.

[0071] Once open reading frames are identified in the polynucleotides of the present invention, the open reading frames may be isolated and/or synthesized. Expressible genetic constructs comprising the open reading frames and suitable promoters, initiators, terminators, etc., which are well known in the art, may then be constructed. Such genetic constructs may be introduced into a host cell to express the polypeptide encoded by the open reading frame. Suitable host cells may include various prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In vitro expression of polypeptides is also possible, as well known in the art.

[0072] As used herein, the term “oligonucleotide” refers to a relatively short segment of a polynucleotide sequence, generally comprising between 6 and 60 nucleotides, and comprehends both probes for use in hybridization assays and primers for use in the amplification of DNA by polymerase chain reaction.

[0073] As used herein, the term “x-mer,” with reference to a specific value of “x,” refers to a polynucleotide comprising at least a specified number (“x”) of contiguous residues of any of the polynucleotides identified as SEQ ID NOS: 1-121. The value of x may be from about 20 to about 600, depending upon the specific sequence.

[0074] In another aspect, the present invention provides isolated polypeptides encoded, or partially encoded, by the above polynucleotides. In specific embodiments, such polypeptides comprise a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 122-253, and variants thereof. As used herein, the term “polypeptide” encompasses amino acid chains of any length, including full-length proteins, wherein the amino acid residues are linked by covalent peptide bonds. The term “polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide” as used herein, includes polypeptides encoded by a polynucleotide which comprises an isolated polynucleotide sequence or variant provided herein. Polypeptides of the present invention may be naturally purified products, or may be produced partially or wholly using recombinant techniques. Such polypeptides may be glycosylated with bacterial, fungal, mammalian or other eukaryotic carbohydrates or may be non-glycosylated.

[0075] Polypeptides of the present invention may be produced recombinantly by inserting a polynucleotide that encodes the polypeptide into an expression vector and expressing the polypeptide in an appropriate host. Any of a variety of expression vectors known to those of ordinary skill in the art may be employed. Expression may be achieved in any appropriate host cell that has been transformed or transfected with an expression vector containing a polypeptide encoding a recombinant polypeptide. Suitable host cells include prokaryotes, yeast and higher eukaryotic cells. Preferably, the host cells employed are Escherichia coli, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus, insect, yeast or a mammalian cell line such as COS or CHO. The polynucleotide(s) expressed in this manner may encode naturally occurring polypeptides, portions of naturally occurring polypeptides, or other variants thereof.

[0076] In a related aspect, polypeptides are provided that comprise at least a functional portion of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence encoded by a polynucleotide of the present invention. As used herein, a “functional portion” of a polypeptide is that portion which contains the active site essential for affecting the function of the polypeptide, for example, the portion of the molecule that is capable of binding one or more reactants. The active site may be made up of separate portions present on one or more polypeptide chains and will generally exhibit high binding affinity.

[0077] Functional portions of a polypeptide may be identified by first preparing fragments of the polypeptide by either chemical or enzymatic digestion of the polypeptide, or by mutation analysis of the polynucleotide that encodes the polypeptide and subsequent expression of the resulting mutant polypeptides. The polypeptide fragments or mutant polypeptides are then tested to determine which portions retain biological activity, using, for example, the representative assays provided below.

[0078] Portions and other variants of the inventive polypeptides may be generated by synthetic or recombinant means. Synthetic polypeptides having fewer than about 100 amino acids, and generally fewer than about 50 amino acids, may be generated using techniques that are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, such polypeptides may be synthesized using any of the commercially available solid-phase techniques, such as the Merrifield solid-phase synthesis method, where amino acids are sequentially added to a growing amino acid chain (See Merrifield, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 85:2149-2154, 1963). Equipment for automated synthesis of polypeptides is commercially available from suppliers such as Perkin Elmer/Applied Biosystems, Inc. (Foster City, Calif.), and may be operated according to the manufacturer's instructions. Variants of a native polypeptide may be prepared using standard mutagenesis techniques, such as oligonucleotide-directed site-specific mutagenesis (Kunkel, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82: 488-492, 1985). Sections of DNA sequences may also be removed using standard techniques to permit preparation of truncated polypeptides.

[0079] In general, the polypeptides disclosed herein are prepared in an isolated, substantially pure form. Preferably, the polypeptides are at least about 80% pure; more preferably at least about 90% pure; and most preferably at least about 99% pure.

[0080] As used herein, the term “variant” comprehends polynucleotide or polypeptide sequences different from the specifically identified sequences, wherein one or more nucleotides or amino acid residues is deleted, substituted, or added. Variants may be naturally occurring allelic variants, or non-naturally occurring variants. Variant polynucleotide sequences preferably exhibit at least 60%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably yet at least 90%, and most preferably at least 95% identity to a sequence of the present invention. Variant polypeptide sequences preferably exhibit at least 60%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably yet at least 90%, and most preferably at least 95% identity to a sequence of the present invention. The percentage identity is determined by aligning the two sequences to be compared as described below, determining the number of identical residues in the aligned portion, dividing that number by the total number of residues in the inventive (queried) sequence, and multiplying the result by 100.

[0081] Polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences may be aligned, and the percentage of identical residues in a specified region may be determined against another polynucleotide or polypeptide, using computer algorithms that are publicly available. Two exemplary algorithms for aligning and identifying the similarity of polynucleotide sequences are the BLASTN and FASTA algorithms. Polynucleotides may also be analyzed using the BLASTX algorithm, which compares the six-frame conceptual translation products of a nucleotide query sequence (both strands) against a protein sequence database. The percentage identity of polypeptide sequences may be examined using the BLASTP algorithm. The BLASTN, BLASTX and BLASTP programs are available on the NCBI anonymous FTP server and from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), National Library of Medicine, Building 38A, Room 8N805, Bethesda, Md. 20894, USA. The BLASTN algorithm Version 2.0.4 [Feb. 24, 1998], Version 2.0.6 [Sep. 16, 1998] and Version 2.0.11 [Jan. 20, 2000], set to the parameters described below, is preferred for use in the determination of polynucleotide variants according to the present invention. The BLASTP algorithm, set to the parameters described below, is preferred for use in the determination of polypeptide variants according to the present invention. The use of the BLAST family of algorithms, including BLASTN, BLASTP and BLASTX, is described in the publication of Altschul, et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 25: 3389-3402, 1997.

[0082] The computer algorithm FASTA is available on the Internet and from the University of Virginia by contacting David Hudson, Vice Provost for Research, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 9025, Charlottesville, Va. 22906-9025, USA. FASTA Version 2.0u4 [February 1996], set to the default parameters described in the documentation and distributed with the algorithm, may be used in the determination of variants according to the present invention. The use of the FASTA algorithm is described in Pearson and Lipman, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:2444-2448, 1988; and Pearson, Methods in Enzymol. 183: 63-98, 1990.

[0083] The following running parameters are preferred for determination of alignments and similarities using BLASTN that contribute to the E values and percentage identity for polynucleotide sequences: Unix running command: blastall -p blastn -d embldb -e 10 -G0 -E0 -r 1 -v 30 -b 30 -i queryseq -o results; the parameters are: -p Program Name [String]; -d Database [String]; -e Expectation value (E) [Real]; -G Cost to open a gap (zero invokes default behavior) [Integer]; -E Cost to extend a gap (zero invokes default behavior) [Integer]; -r Reward for a nucleotide match (BLASTN only) [Integer]; -v Number of one-line descriptions (V) [Integer]; -b Number of alignments to show (B) [Integer]; -i Query File [File In]; and -o BLAST report Output File [File Out] Optional.

[0084] The following running parameters are preferred for determination of alignments and similarities using BLASTP that contribute to the E values and percentage identity of polypeptide sequences: blastall -p blastp -d swissprotdb -e 10 -G 0 -E 0 -v 30 -b 30 -i queryseq -o results; the parameters are: -p Program Name [String]; -d Database [String]; -e Expectation value (E) [Real]; -G Cost to open a gap (zero invokes default behavior) [Integer]; -E Cost to extend a gap (zero invokes default behavior) [Integer]; -v Number of one-line descriptions (v) [Integer]; -b Number of alignments to show (b) [Integer]; -I Query File [File In]; -o BLAST report Output File [File Out] Optional. The “hits” to one or more database sequences by a queried sequence produced by BLASTN, FASTA, BLASTP or a similar algorithm, align and identify similar portions of sequences. The hits are arranged in order of the degree of similarity and the length of sequence overlap. Hits to a database sequence generally represent an overlap over only a fraction of the sequence length of the queried sequence.

[0085] The BLASTN, FASTA, and BLASTP algorithms also produce “Expect” values for alignments. The Expect value (E) indicates the number of hits one can “expect” to see over a certain number of contiguous sequences by chance when searching a database of a certain size. The Expect value is used as a significance threshold for determining whether the hit to a database, such as the preferred EMBL database, indicates true similarity. For example, an E value of 0.1 assigned to a polynucleotide hit is interpreted as meaning that in a database of the size of the EMBL database, one might expect to see 0.1 matches over the aligned portion of the sequence with a similar score simply by chance. By this criterion, the aligned and matched portions of the polynucleotide sequences then have a probability of 90% of being the same. For sequences having an E value of 0.01 or less over aligned and matched portions, the probability of finding a match by chance in the EMBL database is 1% or less using the BLASTN or FASTA algorithm.

[0086] According to one embodiment, “variant” polynucleotides and polypeptides, with reference to each of the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention, preferably comprise sequences producing an E value of 0.01 or less when compared to the polynucleotide or polypeptide of the present invention. That is, a variant polynucleotide or polypeptide is any sequence that has at least a 99% probability of being the same as the polynucleotide or polypeptide of the present invention, measured as having an E value of 0.01 or less using the BLASTN, FASTA, or BLASTP algorithms set at parameters described above. According to a preferred embodiment, a variant polynucleotide is a sequence having the same number or fewer nucleic acids than a polynucleotide of the present invention that has at least a 99% probability of being the same as the polynucleotide of the present invention, measured as having an E value of 0.01 or less using the BLASTN or FASTA algorithms set at parameters described above. Similarly, according to a preferred embodiment, a variant polypeptide is a sequence having the same number or fewer amino acids than a polypeptide of the present invention that has at least a 99% probability of being the same as a polypeptide of the present invention, measured as having an E value of 0.01 or less using the BLASTP algorithm set at the parameters described above.

[0087] As noted above, the percentage identity is determined by aligning sequences using one of the BLASTN, FASTA, or BLASTP algorithms, set at the running parameters described above, and identifying the number of identical nucleic or amino acids over the aligned portions; dividing the number of identical nucleic or amino acids by the total number of nucleic or amino acids of the polynucleotide or polypeptide sequence of the present invention; and then multiplying by 100 to determine the percentage identity. For example, a polynucleotide of the present invention having 220 nucleic acids has a hit to a polynucleotide sequence in the EMBL database having 520 nucleic acids over a stretch of 23 nucleotides in the alignment produced by the BLASTN algorithm using the parameters described above. The 23 nucleotide hit includes 21 identical nucleotides, one gap and one different nucleotide. The percentage identity of the polynucleotide of the present invention to the hit in the EMBL library is thus 21/220 times 100, or 9.5%. The polynucleotide sequence in the EMBL database is thus not a variant of a polynucleotide of the present invention.

[0088] In addition to having a specified percentage identity to an inventive polynucleotide or polypeptide se quence, v ariant p olynucleotides a nd p olypeptides p referably h ave a dditional structure and/or functional features in common with the inventive polynucleotide or polypeptide. Polypeptides having a specified degree of identity to a polypeptide of the present invention share a high degree of similarity in their primary structure and have substantially similar functional properties. In addition to sharing a high degree of similarity in their primary structure to polynucleotides of the present invention, polynucleotides having as pecified degree of identity to, or capable o f hybridizing to an inventive polynucleotide preferably have at least one of the following features: (i) they contain an open reading frame or partial open reading frame encoding a polypeptide having substantially the same functional properties as the polypeptide encoded by the inventive polynucleotide; or (ii) they contain identifiable domains in common.

[0089] Alternatively, variant polynucleotides of the present invention hybridize to the polynucleotide sequences recited in SEQ ID NOS: 1-121, or complements, reverse sequences, or reverse complements of those sequences under stringent conditions. As used herein, “stringent conditions” refers to prewashing in a solution of 6×SSC, 0.2% SDS; hybridizing at 65° C., 6×SSC, 0.2% SDS overnight; followed by two washes of 30 minutes each in 1×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65° C. and two washes of 30 minutes each in 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65° C.

[0090] The present invention also encompasses polynucleotides that differ from the disclosed sequences but that, as a consequence of the discrepancy of the genetic code, encode a polypeptide having similar enzymatic activity as a polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide of the present invention. Thus, polynucleotides comprising sequences that differ from the polynucleotide sequences recited in SEQ ID NOS: 1-121, or complements, reverse sequences, or reverse complements of those sequences as a result of conservative substitutions are encompassed within the present invention. Additionally, polynucleotides comprising sequences that differ from the inventive polynucleotide sequences or complements, reverse complements, or reverse sequences as a result of deletions and/or insertions totaling less than 10% of the total sequence length are also contemplated by and encompassed within the present invention. Similarly, polypeptides comprising sequences that differ from the inventive polypeptide sequences as a result of amino acid substitutions, insertions, and/or deletions totaling less than 10% of the total sequence length are contemplated by and encompassed within the present invention, provided the variant polypeptide has similar activity to the inventive polypeptide.

[0091] The polynucleotides of the present invention may be isolated from various libraries, or may be synthesized using techniques that are well known in the art. The polynucleotides may be synthesized, for example, using automated oligonucleotide synthesizers (e.g., Beckman Oligo 1000M DNA Synthesizer) to obtain polynucleotide segments of up to 50 or more nucleic acids. A plurality of such polynucleotide segments may then be ligated using standard DNA manipulation techniques that are well known in the art of molecular biology. One conventional and exemplary polynucleotide synthesis technique involves synthesis of a single stranded polynucleotide segment having, for example, 80 nucleic acids, and hybridizing that segment to a synthesized complementary 85 nucleic acid segment to produce a 5-nucleotide overhang. The next segment may then be synthesized in a similar fashion, with a 5-nucleotide overhang on the opposite strand. The “sticky” ends ensure proper ligation when the two portions are hybridized. In this way, a complete polynucleotide of the present invention may be synthesized entirely in vitro.

[0092] Certain of the polynucleotides identified as SEQ ID NOS: 1-121 are generally referred to as “partial” sequences, in that they may not represent the full coding portion of a gene encoding a naturally occurring polypeptide. The partial polynucleotide sequences disclosed herein may be employed to obtain the corresponding full-length genes for various species and organisms by, for example, screening DNA expression libraries using hybridization probes based on the polynucleotides of the present invention, or using PCR amplification with primers based upon the polynucleotides of the present invention. In this way one can, using methods well known in the art, extend a polynucleotide of the present invention upstream and downstream of the corresponding DNA, as well as identify the corresponding MRNA and genomic DNA, including the promoter and enhancer regions, of the complete gene. The present invention thus comprehends isolated polynucleotides comprising a sequence identified in SEQ ID NOS: 1-121, or a variant of one of the specified sequences, that encode a functional polypeptide, including full-length genes. Such extended polynucleotides may have a length of from about 50 to about 4,000 nucleic acids or base pairs, and preferably have a length of less than about 4,000 nucleic acids or base pairs, more preferably yet a length of less than about 3,000 nucleic acids or base pairs, more preferably yet a length of less than about 2,000 nucleic acids or base pairs. Under some circumstances, extended polynucleotides of the present invention may have a length of less than about 1,800 nucleic acids or base pairs, preferably less than about 1,600 nucleic acids or base pairs, more preferably less than about 1,400 nucleic acids or base pairs, more preferably yet less than about 1,200 nucleic acids or base pairs, and most preferably less than about 1,000 nucleic acids or base pairs.

[0093] Polynucleotides of the present invention comprehend polynucleotides comprising at least a specified number of contiguous residues (x-mers) of any of the polynucleotides identified as SEQ ID NOS: 1-121 or their variants. According to preferred embodiments, the value of x is preferably at least 20, more preferably at least 40, more preferably yet at least 60, and most preferably at least 80. Thus, polynucleotides of the present invention include polynucleotides comprising a 20-mer, a 40-mer, a 60-mer, an 80-mer, a 100-mer, a 120-mer, a 150-mer, a 180-mer, a 220-mer a 250-mer, or a 300-mer, 400-mer, 500-mer or 600-mer of a polynucleotide identified as SEQ ID NOS: 1-121 or a variant of one of the polynucleotides identified as SEQ ID NOS: 1-121.

[0094] Oligonucleotide probes and primers complementary to and/or corresponding to SEQ ID NOS: 1-121, and variants of those sequences, are also comprehended by the present invention. Such oligonucleotide probes and primers are substantially complementary to the polynucleotide of interest. An oligonucleotide probe or primer is described as “corresponding to” a polynucleotide of the present invention, including one of the sequences set out as SEQ ID NOS: 1-121 or a variant, if the oligonucleotide probe or primer, or its complement, is contained within one of the sequences set out as SEQ ID NOS: 1-121 or a variant of one of the specified sequences.

[0095] Two single stranded sequences are said to be substantially complementary when the nucleotides of one strand, optimally aligned and compared, with the appropriate nucleotide insertions and/or deletions, pair with at least 80%, preferably at least 90% to 95%, and more preferably at least 98% to 100%, of the nucleotides of the other strand. Alternatively, substantial complementarity exists when a first DNA strand will selectively hybridize to a second DNA strand under stringent hybridization conditions. Stringent hybridization conditions for determining complementarity include salt conditions of less than about 1 M, more usually less than about 500 mM and preferably less than about 200 mM. Hybridization temperatures can be as low as 5° C., but are generally greater than about 22° C., more preferably greater than about 30° C. and most preferably greater than about 37° C. Longer DNA fragments may require higher hybridization temperatures for specific hybridization. Since the stringency of hybridization may be affected by other factors such as probe composition, presence of organic solvents and extent of base mismatching, the combination of parameters is more important than the absolute measure of any one alone. DNA-DNA hybridization studies may performed using either genomic DNA or DNA derived by preparing cDNA from the RNA present in a sample to be tested.

[0096] In addition to DNA-DNA hybridization, DNA-RNA or RNA-RNA hybridization assays are also possible. In the first case, the mRNA from expressed genes would then be detected instead of genomic DNA or cDNA derived from MRNA of the sample. In the second case, RNA probes could be used. In addition, artificial analogs of DNA hybridizing specifically to target sequences could also be used.

[0097] In specific embodiments, the oligonucleotide probes and/or primers comprise at least about 6 contiguous residues, more preferably at least about 10 contiguous residues, and most preferably at least about 20 contiguous residues complementary to a polynucleotide sequence of the present invention. Probes and primers of the present invention may be from about 8 to 100 base pairs in length or, preferably from about 10 to 50 base pairs in length or, more preferably from about 15 to 40 base pairs in length. The primers and probes may be readily selected using procedures well known in the art, taking into account DNA-DNA hybridization stringencies, annealing and melting temperatures, potential for formation of loops and other factors, which are well known in the art. Tools and software suitable for designing probes, and especially for designing PCR primers, are available from Premier Biosoft International, 3786 Corina Way, Palo Alto, Calif. 94303-4504. Preferred techniques for designing PCR primers are also disclosed in Dieffenbach and Dyksler, PCR primer: a laboratory manual, CSHL Press: Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1995.

[0098] A plurality of oligonucleotide probes or primers corresponding to a polynucleotide of the present invention may be provided in a kit form. Such kits generally comprise multiple DNA or oligonucleotide probes, each probe being specific for a polynucleotide sequence. Kits of the present invention may comprise one or more probes or primers corresponding to a polynucleotide of the present invention, including a polynucleotide sequence identified in SEQ ID NOS: 1-121.

[0099] In one embodiment useful for high-throughput assays, the oligonucleotide probe kits of the present invention comprise multiple probes in an array format, wherein each probe is immobilized in a predefined, spatially addressable location on the surface of a solid substrate. Array formats which may be usefully employed in the present invention are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,412,087, 5,545,531, and PCT Publication No. WO 95/00530, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0100] Oligonucleotide probes for use in the present invention may be constructed synthetically prior to immobilization on an array, using techniques well known in the art (See, for example, Gait, ed., Oligonucleotide synthesis a practical approach, IRL Press: Oxford, England, 1984). Automated equipment for the synthesis of oligonucleotides is available commercially from such companies as Perkin Elmer/Applied Biosystems Division (Foster City, Calif.) and may be operated according to the manufacturer's instructions. Alternatively, the probes may be constructed directly on the surface of the array using techniques taught, for example, in PCT Publication No. WO 95/00530.

[0101] The solid substrate and the surface thereof preferably form a rigid support and are generally formed from the same material. Examples of materials from which the solid substrate may be constructed include polymers, plastics, resins, membranes, polysaccharides, silica or silica-based materials, carbon, metals and inorganic glasses. Synthetically prepared probes may be immobilized on the surface of the solid substrate using techniques well known in the art, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,087.

[0102] In one such technique, compounds having protected functional groups, such as thiols protected with photochemically removable protecting groups, are attached to the surface of the substrate. Selected regions of the surface are then irradiated with a light source, preferably a laser, to provide reactive thiol groups. This irradiation step is generally performed using a mask having apertures at predefined locations using photolithographic techniques well known in the art of semiconductors. The reactive thiol groups are then incubated with the oligonucleotide probe to be immobilized. The precise conditions for incubation, such as temperature, time and pH, depend on the specific probe and can be easily determined by one of skill in the art. The surface of the substrate is washed free of unbound probe and the irradiation step is repeated using a second mask having a different pattern of apertures. The surface is subsequently incubated with a second, different, probe. Each oligonucleotide probe is typically immobilized in a discrete area of less than about 1 mm². Preferably each discrete area is less than about 10,000 mm², more preferably less than about 100 mm². In this manner, a multitude of oligonucleotide probes may be immobilized at predefined locations on the array.

[0103] The resulting array may be employed to screen for differences in organisms or samples or products containing genetic material as follows. Genomic or cDNA libraries are prepared using techniques well known in the art. The resulting target DNA is then labeled with a suitable marker, such as a radiolabel, chromophore, fluorophore or chemiluminescent agent, using protocols well known for those skilled in the art. A solution of the labeled target DNA is contacted with the surface of the array and incubated for a suitable period of time.

[0104] The surface of the array is then washed free of unbound target DNA and the probes to which the target DNA hybridized are determined by identifying those regions of the array to which the markers are attached. When the marker is a radiolabel, such as ³²P, autoradiography is employed as the detection method. In one embodiment, the marker is a fluorophore, such as fluorescein, and the location of bound target DNA is determined by means of fluorescence spectroscopy. Automated equipment for use in fluorescence scanning of oligonucleotide probe arrays is available from Affymetrix, Inc. (Santa Clara, Calif.) and may be operated according to the manufacturer's instructions. Such equipment may be employed to determine the intensity of fluorescence at each predefined location on the array, thereby providing a measure of the amount of target DNA bound at each location. Such an assay would be able to indicate not only the absence and presence of the marker probe in the target, but also the quantitative amount as well.

[0105] The significance of such high-throughput screening system is apparent for applications such as microbial selection and quality control operations in which there is a need to identify large numbers of samples or products for unwanted materials, to identify microbes or samples or products containing microbial material for quarantine purposes, etc., or to ascertain the true origin of samples or products containing microbes. Screening for the presence or absence of polynucleotides of the present invention used as identifiers for tagging microbes and microbial products can be valuable for later detecting the genetic composition of food, fermentation and industrial microbes or microbes in human or animal digestive system after consumption of probiotics, etc.

[0106] In this manner, oligonucleotide probe kits of the present invention may be employed to examine the presence/absence (or relative amounts in case of mixtures) of polynucleotides in different samples or products containing different materials rapidly and in a cost-effective manner. Examples of microbial species which may be examined using the present invention, include lactic acid bacteria, such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and other microbial species.

[0107] Another aspect of the present invention involves collections of a plurality of polynucleotides of the present invention. A collection of a plurality of the polynucleotides of the present invention, particularly the polynucleotides identified as SEQ ID NOS: 1-121, may be recorded and/or stored on a storage medium and subsequently accessed for purposes of analysis, comparison, etc. Suitable storage media include magnetic media such as magnetic diskettes, magnetic tapes, CD-ROM storage media, optical storage media, and the like. Suitable storage media and methods for recording and storing information, as well as accessing information such as polynucleotide sequences recorded on such media, are well known in the art. The polynucleotide information stored on the storage medium is preferably computer-readable and may be used for analysis and comparison of the polynucleotide information.

[0108] Another aspect of the present invention thus involves storage medium on which are recorded a collection of the polynucleotides of the present invention, particularly a collection of the polynucleotides identified as SEQ ID NOS: 1-121. According to one embodiment, the storage medium includes a collection of at least 20, preferably at least 50, more preferably at least 100, and most preferably at least 200 of the polynucleotides of the present invention, preferably the polynucleotides identified as SEQ ID NOS: 1-121, including variants of those polynucleotides.

[0109] Another aspect of the present invention involves a combination of polynucleotides, the combination containing at least 5, preferably at least 10, more preferably at least 20, and most preferably at least 50 different polynucleotides of the present invention, including polynucleotides selected from SEQ ID NOS: 1-121, and variants of these polynucleotides.

[0110] In another aspect, the present invention provides genetic constructs comprising, in the 5′-3′ direction, a gene promoter sequence and an open reading frame coding for at least a functional portion of a polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide of the present invention. In certain embodiments, the genetic constructs of the present invention also comprise a gene termination sequence. The open reading frame may be oriented in either a sense or antisense direction. Genetic constructs comprising a non-coding region of a gene coding for a polypeptide encoded by an inventive polynucleotide or a nucleotide sequence complementary to a non-coding region, together with a gene promoter sequence, are also provided. A terminator sequence may form part of this construct. Preferably, the gene promoter and termination sequences are functional in a host organism. More preferably, the gene promoter and termination sequences are common to those of the polynucleotide being introduced. The genetic construct may further include a marker for the identification of transformed cells.

[0111] Techniques for operatively linking the components of the genetic constructs are well known in the art and include the use of synthetic linkers containing one or more restriction endonuclease sites as described, for example, by Sambrook et al., in Molecular cloning: a laboratory manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories Press: Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989. The genetic constructs of the present invention may be linked to a vector having at least one replication system, for example, E. coli, whereby after each manipulation, the resulting construct can be cloned and sequenced and the correctness of the manipulation determined.

[0112] Transgenic microbial cells comprising the genetic constructs of the present invention are also provided by the present invention, together with microbes comprising such transgenic cells, products and progeny of such microbes, and materials including such microbes. Techniques for stably incorporating genetic constructs into the genome of target microbes, such as Lactobacillus species, Lactococcus lactis or E. coli, are well known in the art of bacterial transformation and are exemplified by the transformation of E. coli for sequencing described in Example 1.

[0113] Transgenic non-microbial cells comprising the genetic constructs of the present invention are also provided, together with organisms comprising such transgenic cells, and products and progeny of such organisms. Genetic constructs of the present invention may be stably incorporated into the genomes of non-microbial target organisms, such as fungi, using techniques well known in the art.

[0114] In preferred embodiments, the genetic constructs of the present invention are employed to transform microbes used in the production of food products, ingredients, processing aids, additives or supplements and for the production of microbial products for pharmaceutical uses, particularly for modulating immune system function and immunological effects, and in the production of chemoprotectants providing beneficial effects, probiotics and health supplements. The inventive genetic constructs may also be employed to transform bacteria that are used to produce enzymes or substances such as polysaccharides, flavor compounds and bioactive substances, and to enhance resistance to industrial processes such as drying and to adverse stimuli in the human digestive system. The genes involved in antibiotic production, and phage uptake and resistance in Lactobacillus rhamnosus are considered to be especially useful. The target microbe to be used for transformation with one or more polynucleotides or genetic constructs of the present invention is preferably selected from the group consisting of bacterial genera Lactococcus, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Oenococcus, Lactosphaera, Trichococcus, Pediococcus and others potentially useful in various fermentation industries and is most preferably selected from the group consisting of the following Lactobacillus species: Lactobacillus acetotolerans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus agilis, Lactobacillus alimentarius, Lactobacillus amylolyticus, Lactobacillus amylophilus, Lactobacillus amylovorus, Lactobacillus animalis, Lactobacillus arizonae, Lactobacillus aviarius, Lactobacillus bavaricus, Lactobacillus bifermentans, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus collinoides, Lactobacillus coryniformis, Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis, Lactobacillus farciminis, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus fructivorans, Lactobacillus gallinarum, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus graminis, Lactobacillus hamsteri, Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus helveticus subsp. jugurti, Lactobacillus hetero, Lactobacillus hilgardii, Lactobacillus homohiochii, Lactobacillus japonicus, Lactobacillus johnsonii, Lactobacillus kefiri, Lactobacillus lactis, Lactobacillus leichmannii, Lactobacillus lindneri, Lactobacillus mali, Lactobacillus maltaromicus, Lactobacillus manihotivorans, Lactobacillus mucosae, Lactobacillus murinus, Lactobacillus oris, Lactobacillus panis, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. pseudoplantarum, Lactobacillus paraplantarum, Lactobacillus pentosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus pontis, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus ruminis, Lactobacillus sake, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salicinius, Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salivarius, Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis, Lactobacillus sharpeae, Lactobacillus thermophilus, Lactobacillus vaginalis, Lactobacillus vermiforme, and Lactobacillus zeae.

[0115] In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides methods for modifying the concentration, composition and/or activity of a polypeptide in a host organism, such as a microbe, comprising stably incorporating a genetic construct of the present invention into the genome of the host organism by transforming the host organism with such a genetic construct. The genetic constructs of the present invention may be used to transform a variety of organisms including plants, such as monocotyledonous angiosperms (e.g., grasses, corn, grains, oat, wheat and barley); dicotyledonous angiosperms (e.g., Arabidopsis, tobacco, legumes, alfalfa, oaks, eucalyptus, maple); gymnosperms, (e.g., Scots pine (Aronen, Finnish Forest Res. Papers, Vol. 595, 1996); white spruce (Ellis et al., Biotechnology 11:84-89, 1993); larch (Huang et al., In Vitro Cell 27:201-207, 1991); and any kind of plant amenable to genetic engineering.

[0116] Thus, in yet another aspect, transgenic plant cells comprising the genetic constructs of the present invention are provided, together with plants comprising such transgenic cells, and fruits, seeds, products and progeny of such plants. Techniques for stably incorporating genetic constructs into the genome of target organisms, such as plants, are well known in the art and include Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated introduction, electroporation, protoplast fusion, injection into reproductive organs, injection into immature embryos, high velocity projectile introduction and the like. The choice of technique will depend upon the target plant to be transformed. For example, dicotyledonous plants, and certain monocots and gymnosperms, may be transformed by Agrobacterium Ti plasmid technology, as described, for example by Bevan, Nucleic Acids Res. 12:8711-8721, 1984. Targets for the introduction of the genetic constructs include tissues, such as leaf tissue, disseminated cells, protoplasts, seeds, embryos, meristematic regions, cotyledons, hypocotyls, and the like.

[0117] Once the cells are transformed, cells having the genetic construct incorporated in their genome are selected. Transgenic cells may then be cultured in an appropriate medium, using techniques well known in the art. In the case of protoplasts, the cell wall is allowed to reform under appropriate osmotic conditions. In the case of seeds or embryos, an appropriate germination or callus initiation medium is employed. For explants, an appropriate regeneration medium is used. Regeneration of plants is well established for many species. For a review of regeneration of forest trees, see Dunstan et al., “Somatic embryogenesis in woody plants,” in Thorpe, T. A., ed., In vitro embryogenesis of plants, (Current Plant Science and Biotechnology in Agriculture), 20(12):471-540, 1995. Specific protocols for the regeneration of spruce are discussed by Roberts et al. (“Somatic embryogenesis of Spruce,” in Redenbaugh K., ed., Synseed. applications of synthetic seed to crop improvement, CRC Press: Ch.23:427-449, 1993). The resulting transformed plants may be reproduced sexually or asexually, using methods well known in the art, to give successive generations of transgenic plants and practically unlimited amounts of tagged plant-derived products.

[0118] The polynucleotides of the present invention may be further employed as non-disruptive tags for marking organisms, particularly microbes. Other organisms may, however, be tagged with the polynucleotides of the present invention, including commercially valuable plants, animals, fish, fungi and yeasts. Genetic constructs comprising polynucleotides of the present invention may be stably introduced into an organism as heterologous, non-functional, non-disruptive tags. It is then possible to identify the origin or source of the organism at a later date by determining the presence or absence of the tag(s) in a sample of material. Detection of the tag(s) may be accomplished using a variety of conventional techniques, and will generally involve the use of nucleic acid probes. Sensitivity in assaying the presence of probe can be usefully increased by using branched oligonucleotides, as described by Horn et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 25(23):4842-4849, 1997, enabling detection of as few as 50 DNA molecules in the sample.

[0119] Polynucleotides of the present invention may also be used to spacifically suppress gene expression by methods that operate post-transcriptionally to block the synthesis of products of targeted genes, such as RNA interference (RNAi), and quelling. Briefly, traditional methods of gene suppression, employing anti-sense RNA or DNA, operate by binding to the reverse sequence of a gene of interest such that binding interferes with subsequent cellular processes and therefore blocks synthesis of the corresponding protein. RNAi also operates on a post-translational level and is sequence specific, but suppresses gene expression far more efficiently. Exemplary methods for controlling or modifying gene expression using RNAi are provided in WO 99/49029 and WO 99/53050. In these methods, post-transcriptional gene silencing is brought about by a sequence-specific RNA degradation process which results in the rapid degradation of transcripts of sequence-related genes. Studies have shown that double-stranded RNA may act as a mediator of sequence-specific gene silencing (see, for example, Montgomery and Fire, Trends in Genetics, 14:255-258, 1998). Gene constructs that produce transcripts with self-complementary regions are particularly efficient at gene silencing. A unique feature of this post-transcriptional gene silencing pathway is that silencing is not limited to the cells where it is initiated. The gene-silencing effects may be disseminated to other parts of an organism and even transmitted through the germ line to several generations.

[0120] The polynucleotides of the present invention may thus be employed to generate gene silencing constructs and/or gene-specific self-complementary RNA sequences that can be delivered by conventional art-known methods to cells, such as microbial cells. Within genetic constructs, sense and antisense sequences can be placed in regions flanking an intron sequence in proper splicing orientation with donor and acceptor splicing sites, such that intron sequences are removed during processing of the transcript and sense and antisense sequences, as well as splice junction sequences, bind together to form double-stranded RNA. Alternatively, spacer sequences of various lengths may be employed to separate self-complementary regions of sequence in the construct. During processing of the gene construct transcript, intron sequences are spliced-out, allowing sense and anti-sense sequences, as well as splice junction sequences, to bind forming double-stranded RNA. Select ribonucleases then bind to and cleave the double-stranded RNA, thereby initiating the cascade of events leading to degradation of specific mRNA gene sequences, and silencing specific genes. Alternatively, rather than using a gene construct to express the self-complementary RNA sequences, the gene-specific double-stranded RNA segments are delivered to one or more targeted areas to be internalized into the cell cytoplasm to exert a gene silencing effect. The double-stranded RNA must have sufficient homology to the targeted gene to mediate RNAi and is preferably at least 25 nucleotides in length. Preferably, the double-stranded RNA corresponds specifically to a polynucleotide of the present invention. Gene silencing RNA sequences comprising the polynucleotides of the present invention are useful for creating genetically modified organisms with desired phenotypes as well as for characterizing genes (for example, in high-throughput screening of sequences), and studying their functions in intact organisms.

[0121] In another aspect, the present invention provides methods for using one or more of the inventive polypeptides or polynucleotides to treat disorders in a mammal, such as a human.

[0122] In this aspect, the polypeptide or polynucleotide is generally present within a composition, such as a pharmaceutical or immunogenic composition. Pharmaceutical compositions may comprise one or more polypeptides, each of which may contain one or more of the above sequences (or variants thereof), and a physiologically acceptable carrier. Immunogenic compositions may comprise one or more of the above polypeptides and an immunostimulant, such as an adjuvant or a liposome, into which the polypeptide is incorporated.

[0123] Alternatively, a composition of the present invention may contain DNA encoding one or more polypeptides described herein, such that the polypeptide is generated in situ. In such compositions, the DNA may be present within any of a variety of delivery systems known to those of ordinary skill in the art, including nucleic acid expression systems, and bacterial and viral expression systems. Appropriate nucleic acid expression systems contain the necessary DNA sequences for expression in the patient (such as a suitable promoter and terminator signal). Bacterial delivery systems involve the administration of a bacterium (such as Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) that expresses an immunogenic portion of the polypeptide on its cell surface. In a preferred embodiment, the DNA may be introduced using a viral expression system (e.g., vaccinia or other poxvirus, retrovirus, or adenovirus), which may involve the use of a non-pathogenic, or defective, replication competent virus. Techniques for incorporating DNA into such expression systems are well known in the art. The DNA may also be “naked,” as described, for example, in Ulmer et al., Science 259:1745-1749, 1993 and reviewed by Cohen, Science 259:1691-1692, 1993. The uptake of naked DNA may be increased by coating the DNA onto biodegradable beads, which are efficiently transported into the cells.

[0124] While any suitable carrier known to those of ordinary skill in the art may be employed in the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention, the type of carrier will vary depending on the mode of administration. For parenteral administration, such as subcutaneous injection, the carrier preferably comprises water, saline, alcohol, a lipid, a wax or a buffer. For oral administration, any of the above carriers or a solid carrier, such as mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharine, talcum, cellulose, glucose, sucrose, and magnesium carbonate, may be employed. Biodegradable microspheres (e.g., polylactic galactide) may also be employed as carriers for the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention. Suitable biodegradable microspheres are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,897,268 and 5,075,109.

[0125] Any of a variety of adjuvants may be employed in the immunogenic compositions of the present invention to non-specifically enhance an immune response. Most adjuvants contain a substance designed to protect the antigen from rapid catabolism, such as aluminum hydroxide or mineral oil, and a non-specific stimulator of immune responses, such as lipid A, Bordetella pertussis or M. tuberculosis. Suitable adjuvants are commercially available as, for example, Freund's Incomplete Adjuvant and Freund's Complete Adjuvant (Difco Laboratories, Detroit, Mich.), and Merck Adjuvant 65 (Merck and Company, Inc., Rahway, N.J.). Other suitable adjuvants include alum, biodegradable microspheres, monophosphoryl lipid A and Quil A.

[0126] Routes and frequency of administration, as well as dosage, vary from individual to individual. In general, the inventive compositions may be administered by injection (e.g., intradermal, intramuscular, intravenous or subcutaneous), intranasally (e.g., by aspiration) or orally. In general, the amount of polypeptide present in a dose (or produced in situ by the DNA in a dose) ranges from about 1 pg to about 100 mg per kg of host, typically from about 10 pg to about 1 mg per kg of host, and preferably from about 100 pg to about 1 μg per kg of host. Suitable dose sizes will vary with the size of the patient, but will typically range from about 0.1 ml to about 2 ml.

[0127] The following examples are offered by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

EXAMPLE 1 Isolation and Characterization of DNA Sequences from Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Strain HN001

[0128]Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain HN001 DNA libraries were constructed and screened as follows.

[0129] DNA was prepared in large scale by cultivating the bacteria in 2×100 ml cultures with 100 ml MRS broth (Difco Laboratories, Detroit Mich.) and 1 ml Lactobacillus glycerol stock as inoculum, placed into 500 ml culture flasks and incubated at 37° C. for approx. 16 hours with shaking (220 rpm).

[0130] The cultures were centrifuged at 3500 rpm for 10 min to pellet the cells. The supernatant was removed and the cell pellet resuspended in 40 ml fresh MRS broth and transferred to clean 500 ml culture flasks. Fresh MRS broth (60 ml) was added to bring the volume back to 100 ml and flasks were incubated for a further 2 hrs at 37° C. with shaking (220 rpm). The cells were pelleted by centrifugation (3500 rpm for 10 min) and supernatant removed. Cell pellets were washed twice in 20 ml buffer A (50 mM NaCl, 30 mM Tris pH 8.0, 0.5 mM EDTA).

[0131] Cells were resuspended in 2.5 ml buffer B (25% sucrose (w/v), 50 mM Tris pH 8.0, 1 mM EDTA, 20 mg/ml lysozyme, 20 μg/ml mutanolysin) and incubated at 37° C. for 45 min. Equal volumes of EDTA (0.25 M) was added to each tube and allowed to incubate at room temperature for 5 min. 20% SDS (1 ml) solution was added, mixed and incubated at 65° C. for 90 min. 50 μl Proteinase K (Gibco BRL, Gaithersburg, Md.) from a stock solution of 20 mg/ml was added and tubes incubated at 65° C. for 15 min.

[0132] DNA was extracted with equal volumes of phenol:chloroform:isoamylalcohol (25:24:1). Tubes were centrifuged at 3500 rpm for 40 min. The aqueous phase was removed to clean sterile Oak Ridge centrifuge tubes (30 ml). Crude DNA was precipitated with an equal volume of cold isopropanol and incubated at −20° C. overnight.

[0133] After resuspension in 500 μl TE buffer, DNase-free RNase was added to a final concentraion of 100 μg/ml and incubated at 37° C. for 30 min. The incubation was extended for a further 30 min after adding 100 μl Proteinase K from a stock solution of 20 mg/ml. DNA was precipitated with ethanol after a phenol:chloroform:isoamylalcohol (25:24: 1) and a chloroform:isoamylalcohol (24:1) extraction and dissolved in 250 μl TE buffer.

[0134] DNA was digested with Sau3AI at a concentration of 0.004 U/μg in a total volume of 1480 μl, with 996 μl DNA, 138.75 μl 10×REACT 4 buffer and 252.75 μl H₂O. Following incubation for 1 hour at 37° C., DNA was divided into two tubes. 31 μl 0.5 M EDTA was added to stop the digestion and 17 μl samples were taken for agarose gel analysis. Samples were put into 15 ml Falcon tubes and diluted to 3 ml for loading onto sucrose gradient tubes.

[0135] Sucrose gradient size fractionation was conducted as follows. 100 ml of 50% sucrose (w/v) was made in TEN buffer (1M NaCl, 20 mM Tris pH 8.0, 5 mM EDTA) and sterile filtered. Dilutions of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40% sucrose were prepared and overlaid carefully in Beckman Polyallomer tubes, and kept overnight at 4° C. TEN buffer (4 ml) was loaded onto the gradient, with 3 ml of DNA solution on top. The gradients were centrifuged at 26K for 18 hours at 4° C. in a Centricon T-2060 centrifuge using a Kontron TST 28-38 rotor. After deceleration without braking (approx. 1 hour), the gradients were removed and fractions collected using an auto Densi-Flow (Haake-Buchler Instruments). Agarose gel was used to analyze the fractions. The best two pairs of fractions were pooled and diluted to contain less than 10% sucrose. TEN buffer (4 ml) was added and DNA precipitated with 2 volumes of 100% ice cold ethanol and an overnight incubation at −20° C.

[0136] DNA pellets were resuspended in 300 μl TE buffer and re-precipitated for approx. 6 hours at −20° C. after adding {fraction (1/10)} volume 3 M NaOAC pH 5.2 and 2 volumes of ethanol. DNA was pelleted at top speed in a microcentrifuge for 15 min, washed with 70% ethanol and pelleted again, dried and resuspended in 10 μl TE buffer.

[0137] DNA was ligated into dephosphorylated BamHI-digested pBluescript SK II⁺ and dephosphorylated BamHI-digested lambda ZAP Express using standard protocols. Packaging of the DNA was done using Gigapack III Gold packaging extract (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.) following the manufacturer's protocols. Packaged libraries were stored at 4° C.

[0138] Mass excision from the primary packaged phage library was done using XL1-Blue MRF′ cells and ExAssist Helper Phage (Stratagene). The excised phagemids were diluted with NZY broth (Gibco BRL, Gaithersburg, Md.) and plated out onto LB-kanamycin agar plates containing 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-D-galactoside (X-gal) and isopropylthio-beta-galactoside (IPTG). After incubation, single colonies were picked for PCR size determination before the most suitable libraries were selected for sequencing.

[0139] Of the colonies picked for DNA minipreps and subsequent sequencing, the large majority contained an insert suitable for sequencing. Positive colonies were cultured in LB broth with kanamycin or ampicillin depending on the vector used, and DNA was purified by means of rapid alkaline lysis minipreps (solutions: Qiagen, Venlo, The Netherlands; clearing plates, Millipore, Bedford, Mass.). Agarose gels at 1% were used to screen sequencing templates for chromosomal contamination and concentration. Dye terminator sequencing reactions were prepared using a Biomek 2000 robot (Beckman Coulter, Inc., Fullerton, Calif.) and Hydra 96 (Robbins Scientific, Sunnyvale, Calif.) for liquid handling. DNA amplification was done in a 9700 PCR machine (Perkin Elmer/Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) according to the manufacturer's protocol.

[0140] The sequence of the genomic DNA fragments were determined using a Perkin Elmer/Applied Biosystems Division Prism 377 sequencer. The DNA clones were sequenced from the 5′ and/or 3′ end, and are identified as SEQ ID NOS: 1-121 disclosed herein.

[0141] This example not only shows how the sequences were obtained, but also that a bacterium (E. coli) can be stably transformed with any desired DNA fragment of the present invention for permanent marking for stable inheritance.

[0142] The determined DNA sequences were compared to and aligned with known sequences in the public databases. Specifically, the polynucleotides identified in SEQ ID NO: 1-121 were compared to polynucleotides in the EMBL database as of Aug. 12, 2002, using BLASTN algorithm Version 2.0.11 [Jan. 20, 2000], set to the following running parameters: Unix running command: blastall -p blastn -d embldb -e 10 -G 0 -E 0 -r 1 -v 30 -b 30 -i queryseq-o results. Multiple alignments of redundant sequences were used to build up reliable consensus sequences. The polypeptides identified in SEQ ID NO: 122-253 were compared to polypeptides in the SwissPROT-TrEMBL database as of Aug. 12, 2002, using BLASTP algorithm Version 2.0.11 [Jan. 20, 2000], set to the following running parameters: Unix running command: blastall -p blastp -d swissprottrembledb -e 10 -G 0 -E 0 -v 30 -b 30 -i queryseq-o results.

[0143] BLASTN Polynucleotide Analysis

[0144] The sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 1-18, 20-50, 52-62, 64-69, 71-83, 85-93 and 95-122 were determined to have less than 50% identity, determined as described above, to sequences in the EMBL database using the computer algorithm BLASTN, as described above. The sequence of SEQ ID NO: 94 was determined to have less than 75% identity, determined as described above, to sequences in the EMBL database using the computer algorithm BLASTN, as described above. Finally, the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19 was determined to have less than 98% identity, determined as described above, to sequences in the EMBL database using the computer algorithm BLASTN, as described above.

[0145] BLASTP Amino Acid Analysis

[0146] The predicted amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 124, 133, 134, 137-139, 141, 148, 150-156, 159, 162, 164-168, 170-172, 174, 175, 178, 184, 187, 188, 190, 194, 195, 198-200, 202, 203, 205-208, 212-214, 216, 221-224, 227, 229, 234, 235, 237, 240, 242-245, 249 and 252 were determined to have less than 50% identity, determined as described above, to sequences in the SWISSPROT-TrEMBL database using the BLASTP computer algorithm as described above. The predicted amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 123, 125-129, 131, 144, 149, 158, 160, 161, 163, 169, 173, 176, 179-181, 183, 185, 186, 191-193, 197, 201, 209, 211, 215, 217, 218, 225, 226, 228, 230-233, 238, 239, 247, 248, 250, 251, 253, 254 and 256 were determined to have less than 75% identity, determined as described above, to sequences in the SWISSPROT-TrEMBL database using the computer algorithm BLASTP, as described above. The predicted amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 132, 135, 142, 145-147, 157, 182, 204, 219, 241, 246 and 255 were determined to have less than 90% identity, determined as described above, to sequences in the SWISSPROT-TrEMBL database using the computer algorithm BLASTP, as described above. The predicted amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 140 and 236 were determined to have less than 98% identity, determined as described above, to sequences in the SWISSPROT-TrEMBL database using the computer algorithm BLASTP, as described above.

[0147] BLASTX Polynucleotide Analysis

[0148] The cDNA sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 1-10, 12-18, 20-30, 32-42, 44-50, 52, 53, 55, 58, 59, 61, 62, 64, 66-69, 71-77, 79-83, 85-88, 90, 92, 95-105, 107-109, 111-114, 116-119, 121 and 122 were determined to have less than 50% identity, determined as described above, to sequences in the SWISSPROT-TrEMBL database using the computer algorithm BLASTX, as described above. The cDNA sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 11, 19, 43, 54, 57, 60, 65, 70, 78, 89, 91, 93, 106, 110, 115 and 120 were determined to have less than 75% identity, determined as described above, to sequences in the SWISSPROT-TrEMBL database using BLASTX, as described above. The cDNA sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 31, 51, 56 and 63 were determined to have less than 90% identity, determined as described above, to sequences in the SWISSPROT-TrEMBL database using BLASTN, as described above. The cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO: 94 was determined to have less than 98% identity, determined as described above, to sequences in the SWISSPROT-TrEMBL database using BLASTX, as described above.

[0149] Based on similarity to known sequences, the isolated polynucleotides of the present invention identified as SEQ ID NOS: 1-121 were putatively identified as encoding polypeptides having similarity to the polypeptides shown above in Table 1. The amino acid sequences encoded by the DNA sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1-121 are provided in SEQ ID NO: 122-253, respectively.

[0150] Several of the sequences provided in SEQ ID NO: 1-121 were found to be full-length and to contain open reading frames (ORFs). These full-length sequences, the location of ORFs (by nucleotide position) contained within these sequences, and the corresponding amino acid sequences are provided in Table 2 below. TABLE 2 Polynucleotide Polypeptide SEQ ID NO: ORF SEQ ID NO: 1 4828-5511 122 2  370-1485 123 3  617-2071 124 4  344-1162 125 4 1172-1936 126 6  513-1217 128 7  543-1352 130 8  599-1265 131 9  449-1189 132 10 1530-2306 133 11  164-1432 134 13  340-2367 136 14  92-2407 137 17 505-1884 140 19  5-271 142 20 6159-6464 143 20 5293-6171 144 20 3761-5293 145 22  282-1235 147 23 1938-3620 148 24 1965-2924 149 25 2978-3901 150 26 1212-1991 151 27 10894-11889 152 28 3687-5126 153 29  250-1275 154 30  464-2593 155 34  92-397 159 36  460-1098 161 37  651-1481 162 40  92-2407 165 45  713-2266 170 47  237-1049 172 50  30-1469 175 52  40-1221 177 55  196-1347 180 59  505-1827 184 69 1192-2109 194 70 118-822 195 73  25-1419 198 77  63-638 202 97  424-1743 221 98 1008-1571 222 100 4987-6948 224 101  90-1090 225 102 1702-2514 226 106  5-915 230 107  925-2592 231 108  167-2155 232 109  131-1024 233 110  57-923 234 111  611-1962 235 112  53-748 236 113  348-1301 237 114  235-1659 238 115  634-1458 239 116 2339-3190 240 117  649-1527 241 118  94-924 242 119   1-1221 243 120 4011-5249 244 120 8691-9464 245 120 5246-5701 246 120 6229-7578 247 120 7594-8409 248 120 2357-3280 249 120 3461-4006 250 120 1347-2327 251 121  146-1168 252

[0151] SEQ ID NO: 106, 107, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118 and 119 are full-length sequences of SEQ ID NO: 5, 12, 16, 44, 65, 71, 72, 78, 79, 81, 83, 103 and 21, respectively, with SEQ ID NO: 108 being a full-length sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15 and 42. SEQ ID NO: 253 is the full-length sequence of SEQ ID NO: 99.

[0152] SEQ ID NOS: 1-253 are set out in the attached Sequence Listing. The codes for nucleotide sequences used in the attached Sequence Listing, including the symbol “n,” conform to WIPO Standard ST.25 (1998), Appendix 2, Table 1.

[0153] All references cited herein, including patent references and non-patent publications, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0154] While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments, and many details have been set forth for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein may be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.

0 SEQUENCE LISTING The patent application contains a lengthy “Sequence Listing” section. A copy of the “Sequence Listing” is available in electronic form from the USPTO web site (http://seqdata.uspto.gov/sequence.html?DocID=20040009490). An electronic copy of the “Sequence Listing” will also be available from the USPTO upon request and payment of the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.19(b)(3). 

We claim:
 1. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 1-121.
 2. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) complements of SEQ ID NO: 1-121; (b) reverse complements of SEQ ID NO: 1-121; and (c) reverse sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1-121.
 3. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) sequences having at least 75%, identity to a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1-121; (b) sequences having at least 90% identity to a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1-121; and (c) sequences having at least 95% identity to a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1-121, wherein the polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide having substantially the same functional properties as a polypeptide encoded by SEQ ID NO: 1-121.
 4. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) nucleotide sequences that are 200-mers of a sequence recited in SEQ ID NO: 1-121; (b) nucleotide sequences that are 100-mers of a sequence recited in SEQ ID NO: 1-121; (c) nucleotide sequences that are 40-mers of a sequence recited in SEQ ID NO: 1-121; and (d) nucleotide sequences that are 20-mers of a sequence recited in SEQ ID NO: 1-121;
 5. An isolated oligonucleotide probe or primer comprising at least 10 contiguous residues complementary to 10 contiguous residues of a nucleotide sequence recited in any one of claims 1-3.
 6. A kit comprising a plurality of oligonucleotide probes or primers of claim
 5. 7. A genetic construct comprising a polynucleotide of any one of claims 1-3.
 8. A transgenic host cell comprising a genetic construct according to claim
 7. 9. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence that differs from a nucleotide sequence recited in SEQ ID NOS: 1-121 as a result of deletions and/or insertions totaling less than 10% of the total sequence length.
 10. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence that differs from a nucleotide sequence recited in SEQ ID NOS: 1-121 as a result of substitutions, insertions, and/or deletions totaling less than 15% of the total sequence length.
 11. A genetic construct comprising, in the 5′-3′ direction: (a) a gene promoter sequence; and (b) a polynucleotide sequence comprising at least one of the following: (1) a polynucleotide coding for at least a functional portion of a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 122-253; and (2) a polynucleotide comprising a non-coding region of a polynucleotide of any one of claims 1-3.
 12. The genetic construct of claim 11, wherein the polynucleotide is in a sense orientation.
 13. The genetic construct of claim 11, wherein the polynucleotide is in an anti-sense orientation.
 14. The genetic construct of claim 11, wherein the gene promoter sequence is functional in a prokaryote or eukaryote.
 15. A transgenic host cell comprising a construct of claim
 11. 16. A transgenic organism comprising a transgenic host cell according to claim 15, or progeny thereof.
 17. The transgenic organism of claim 16, wherein the organism is selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus species.
 19. A method for modulating the activity of a polypeptide in an organism, comprising stably incorporating into the genome of the organism a polynucleotide of any one of claims 1-3.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the organism is a microbe.
 21. An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: sequences recited in SEQ ID NO: 122-253.
 22. An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) sequences having at least 75% identity to a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122-253; (b) sequences having at least 90% identity to a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122-253; and (c) sequences having at least 95% identity to a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122-253, wherein the polypeptide has substantially the same functional properties as a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 122-253.
 23. An isolated polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide of any one of claims 21 and
 22. 24. A fusion protein comprising at least one polypeptide according to any one of claims 21 and
 22. 25. An isolated polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide of any one of claims 1-3.
 26. A composition comprising a polypeptide according to any one of claims 21 and 22 and at least one component selected from the group consisting of: physiologically acceptable carriers and immunostimulants.
 27. A composition comprising a polynucleotide according to any one of claims 1-3 and at least one component selected from the group consisting of: physiologically acceptable carriers and immunostimulants.
 28. A method for treating a disorder in a mammal, comprising administering a composition according to claim
 26. 29. A method for treating a disorder in a mammal, comprising administering a composition according to claim
 27. 30. A method of identifying an organism, or reproductive material or an extract therefrom, as having a specific origin, comprising detecting in the genetic complement of the organism, material or extract the presence or absence of a polynucleotide identifier representative of said origin, wherein the polynucleotide identifier comprises a sequence recited in SEQ ID NOS: 1-121.
 31. A method for improving the properties of microbes used in the manufacture of milk-derived products, food products, food additives, nutritional supplements, bioactive substances or probiotic supplements, comprising modulating the polynucleotide content or composition of the microbes by transforming the microbes with a polynucleotide of any one of claims 1-3.
 32. A method for modifying the flavor, aroma, texture and/or nutritional, immune system modulating, and health benefits of a milk-derived, food, food additive, nutritional supplement, bioactive or probiotic supplement product comprising adding one or more polypeptides of claim 21 to the milk or other material from which the product is derived.
 33. A composition comprising one or more species of probiotic microbes, or extracts thereof, that are non-pathogenic to mammalian organisms, said microbes comprising at least one isolated polynucleotide according to claim
 1. 34. The composition of claim 33, wherein said microbes are selected from the group consisting of: Bacillus, Lactobacillus, Sporolactobacillus and Bifidiobacterium species.
 35. A transgenic microbial population for use in cheese ripening, flavor development and bioactive peptide production, wherein the transgenic microbial population comprises a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 3, 11, 20-24, 36, 53-57, 60-62, 67, 75-78, 80, 82-92, 95, 97, 100, 101, 105, 114, 117, 119, and
 120. 36. A transgenic microbial population with modified survivability in manufacturing processes, storage in product formats or in intestinal or other environments, wherein the transgenic microbial population comprises a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 3, 11, 20-24, 36, 53-57, 60-62, 67, 75-78, 80, 82-92, 95, 97, 100, 101, 105, 114, 117, 119 and
 120. 37. A transgenic Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 strain comprising a genetic construct that leads to the insertional mutagenesis and/or targeted disruption of polynucleotides selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-121, wherein the transgenic Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 strain possesses modified properties of flavor, aroma, texture, nutrition, immune system modulation, bioactive compound production, probiotic or health-related benefits, adhesion, or survival of industrial processes, in storage or in the environment.
 38. A method for identifying microorganisms having a trait associated with a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 1-121, the method comprising detecting in the genetic complement of the microorganism, the presence or absence of a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 1-121. 